Patterns can be comfortable, even if they’re destructive. But comfort isn’t the same as freedom. If you’re tired of the same struggle, know this: God is all about breaking the cycle. One moment of surrender can interrupt years of dysfunction. He’s not just calling you out—He’s calling you forward. 

You say, “I am allowed to do anything”—but not everything is good for you. You say, “I am allowed to do anything”—but not everything is beneficial. —1 Corinthians 10:23 NLT 

Do you ever find yourself repeating the same mistakes? Maybe you vow to break a bad habit, only to find yourself back in the same place two weeks later. Or you take ten steps forward, only to fall twenty steps behind, despite having the best intentions. 

It’s tempting to shrug it off and say, “Well, that’s just who I am,” or to pretend the pattern isn’t there. But deep down, you know it’s a cycle worth breaking. The good news is you’re not alone—and even better news is that there’s a way out. 

As believers, one of the most important things we can do is recognize our patterns. Those things you keep doing that you don’t want to do? The habits you want to quit but feel stuck in? Jesus died not only for your sins but for the destructive patterns in your life as well. Scripture tells us that if “the Son sets you free, you are free indeed” (John 8:36). That freedom isn’t just for someone else—it’s for you.

But let’s be real: breaking free from habit loops can feel overwhelming, and it’s easy to spiral into blame, shame, and guilt. Questions like, “Why do I keep doing this?” or “What’s wrong with me?” often arise, but they rarely offer real answers. 

It’s been said the quality of your questions determines the quality of your answers. So instead of asking, “Why do I keep doing this?” consider shifting your focus to a new question: 

What do I want now versus what do I want most? 

What we want now often leads us to avoid pain, choose the path of least resistance, or indulge in temporary fixes that make us feel good in the moment. But what we want most speaks to the deeper desires that can transform our future—if we start making decisions based on where we’re going, not just where we are. 

• What you want now might lead you to avoid difficult conversations, but what you want most is true connection, which requires courage and vulnerability. 

• What you want now could mean hitting the snooze button because you’re tired, but what you want most is to be healthy and strong, which requires getting up and showing up for yourself at the gym. 

• What you want now might be relief from the pain, but what you want most is complete healing, which means walking through the pain to find freedom. 

Both paths are hard. So here’s the truth: Pick Your Hard. 

Paul, in the book of Corinthians, sheds light on the same struggle we face in balancing our freedom with discernment. He writes, You say, “I am allowed to do anything”—but not everything is good for you. You say, “I am allowed to do anything”—but not everything is beneficial (1 Corinthians 10:23 NLT). This reveals the tension of living as believers. We know that we have freedom in Christ—He fulfilled the law and set us free from the limitations of this world. But true freedom in the Lord requires a deeper awareness that our choices should reflect His nature. While we can do many things, not everything aligns with God's best for us. 

This means making decisions not just based on immediate desires, but on what we want most—a heart and mind in tune with God’s will. When you’re truly aligned with Him, anything outside of His will becomes a clear "no" or as my 7-year old says, “That’s a nope on a rope!” It’s about making choices that reflect His character and bring lasting growth.  

Just because you have the freedom to do something doesn’t mean it’s the best choice for your well-being or your relationship with God. Shifting your focus from short-term satisfaction to long-term transformation opens the door to breaking free from limiting beliefs, bad habits, and unhealthy patterns that you find yourself in so you can step into the abundant life God has for you. 

The real question is: Will you choose the path of temporary relief, which may seem easier now but brings greater difficulty later, or the path of discipline, which is tougher at first but leads to lasting transformation? Both will be hard. Pick your hard. The choice is yours.

Steps to Take: 

Step 1: Identify the Loop 
Name the habit, belief, or behavior that keeps repeating. Be honest. 
👉 Practical tip: Write: “This cycle stops with me.” 

Step 2: Shift the Want 
Ask yourself: “Do I want relief or transformation?” 
👉 Practical tip: Compare “What I want now” vs. “What I want most.” 

Step 3: Declare Your Freedom 
Speak truth over your situation. Even if you don’t feel it—faith it. 
👉 Practical tip: Say out loud: “God set me free, and I am free indeed.” 

💥 Change doesn’t start with a plan—it starts with surrender. You’re not stuck. You’re stepping forward.  

Breaking the cycle starts with a choice. Watch my video on how to break free from what others think of you, explore my book, or grab a free devotional resource to step into lasting change.