One of the slang definitions of a Crutch is anything that serves as a temporary and often inappropriate support .
Having something to turn to for support or distraction when faced with difficult situations is something a lot of people do even without realising. Some tend to snack more when upset about something or troubled about an outcome, others tend to go shopping, some completely abstain from food…the list goes on from little things to very big things, sporting activities, cooking, spending , washing, TV programmes etc .
Some of these little comforts are forgotten as soon as the situation passes, some people recognise there is an abnormality and they deal with it
while for others, these distractions or comforts grow and become habits. The funny thing about habits is they don’t announce themselves (good or bad ), they creep up after one too many actions or inactions. These habits over time become like crutches , causing a hindrance to progress as it should be.


“Since we have such a huge crowd of men of faith watching us from the grandstands, let us strip off anything that slows us down or holds us back, and especially those sins that wrap themselves so tightly around our feet and trip us up; and let us run with patience the particular race that God
has set before us.”
Hebrews 12 : 1 TLB

You are surrounded by people who have been where you are. You are never alone. Your path may be very peculiar but be rest assured someone has been through something similar and came out successfully. Never yield to the lie that no one understands. People of faith are cheering you from the grandstands. You can do this.
Letting go of a crutch is never easy as the crutch becomes something of a symbol to you, a source of strength if you like but at the same time , you need to know that strength is false and will eventually crumble. Leaning on a crutch deprives you of the joy of complete dependence on God and
hinders you from discovering the capabilities God has put on your inside. The above verse says” stripe off anything that slows you down or holds you back”, it says especially those sins that wrap themselves tightly around your feet. Your feet is a representation of movement. Anything that prevents movement ( growth ) in your life should be examined.
A crutch will definitely hold you back, it will slow you down. Take note it says , you are to do the stripping off. You are to look at that habit and ask yourself, is it worth it ? Ask yourself, how long am I going to depend on this crutch when I have the power to walk away. In the previous chapter in Hebrews , a list is given of so many people who did many extraordinary things ( including walking
away from some things ) through the walk of faith and these are all cheering you and saying you too can walk by faith. You can walk in the freedom Christ provided and not be dependent on any crutch.
A crutch may start as a temporary support but with time, it will trip you up and cause more damage
A crutch to look out for is one called WORRY. Yes, you read it right, worry can become a Crutch. Some people have taken on worry to be their default position in life issues.

“Will all your worries add a single moment to your life?”
Matthew 6: 37 TLB

Worry never adds anything to you but
stress and anxiety and it generally distracts you from seeking proper solution. It takes away peace, takes away joy, even takes away common sense. Worry says there is or there may be trouble ahead and I can’t trust anyone (not even God ) to deal with it. Worry points towards self, towards the flesh and depends on the ability of man.
Worry is rooted in fear and uncertainty and though these are ‘natural’ reactions, we must remember that we as Christians are not meant to live our lives according to the ‘natural flow of the flesh’. We are spirit beings and must train our minds according to the word of God to live by the spirit. The question in the above scripture is a question everyone who encounters worry should sincerely ask.” Will all your worries add a single moment to your life? “The antidote for worry is trusting in God’s Faithfulness.