Why Is It So Hard to Hold on to the Truth

I was watching The Chosen the other night—one of those quiet scenes that sneaks up on you.

The disciples were arguing, caught up in themselves, when Jesus walked in. He was exhausted. Worn down. His body clearly carrying the weight of a long day spent healing others. His mother rushed to him, urging him to rest. As he prayed and drifted into sleep, the arguing stopped.

Everything went quiet.

In that moment, the disciples saw what really mattered—and what didn’t. Truth had been standing right in front of them the whole time.

It reminded me of how Scripture says Jesus understands exhaustion and suffering firsthand:

“This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin.” (Hebrews 4:15)

And it made me wonder: why is it so hard for us to hold on to truth?

We see truth constantly. We feel it. We recognize it when it brushes up against us. And yet, so often, we refuse to grab it, cling to it, and let it change us. I’m speaking for myself here—but I don’t think I’m alone.

Jesus told us plainly:

“You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:32)

Freedom is offered, yet we resist it.

I have grown. God has done real work in me. But I still have so much room to grow. So many areas that need refining. I’m a hot mess.

Honestly? We all are.

Scripture doesn’t sugarcoat that reality:

“For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standanrd.” (Romans 3:23)

We continue to do the very things we know we shouldn’t—whether they’re big or small. Whether they look like horrifying sins or “harmless” habits. Whether they’re devastating acts or quiet white lies.

James puts it bluntly:

“Remember, it is sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it.” (James 4:17)

At the foot of the cross, it’s all the same.

There is no hierarchy of shame before God.

“If we claim we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and not living in the truth” (1 John 1:8)

All truth is God’s truth. And yet, we resist it. We avoid it. We push it away.

Sometimes I find myself asking a dangerous question: Why does God even love us?

And Scripture answers it—not with logic, but with grace:

“But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.” (Romans 5:8)

He always has.

Long before I had any understanding of who He was, He loved me. Through the years I wasted drunk. Through the times I searched for love in the wrong beds. Through the seasons when I hated myself so deeply I wished for death. Through so many years when the world felt so heavy I nearly lost my grip on life altogether.

God saw every moment.

“The Lord looks at the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7b)

I lied. I cheated. I cursed. I ran headlong into things that should have destroyed me.

And still—He loved me.

God is the only One who knows everything about me.

“Nothing in all creation is hidden from God. Everything is naked and exposed before his eyes.” (Hebrews 4:13)

Even the most shameful, disgusting things I have never spoken out loud to another human being—He knows them.

And yet:

“As people sinned more and more, God’s wonderful grace become more abundant.” (Romans 5:20)

That’s the truth we struggle to hold onto.

We don’t deserve His love. And He gives it freely. Without hesitation. Without conditions.

“God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God.” (Ephesians 2:8)

Praise the Lord that He chose me.

“We love because He first loved us.” (1 John 4:19)

Lord,

Help me to recognize Your truth when it stands right in front of me.

Give me the courage to hold onto it—even when it convicts, even when it costs me comfort.

Thank You for loving me fully, knowing me completely, and never letting go.

Amen.

• What truth has God already shown you that you’ve been resisting—or afraid to fully hold onto?
• Take a moment today to sit with God and ask Him what truth He’s inviting you to hold onto more deeply.