Since going through a difficult experience three years ago, I’ve battled subsequent bouts of intense anxiety and fear. Upon learning of my season of struggle, a dear friend encouraged me to memorize, meditate on, and embrace John 10. The passage, she explained, expounds on the Good Shepherd we have in Jesus and calls us to recognize and listen to His voice rather than voices of doubt, darkness, discouragement, and shame.
“He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out,” we read. “After he has gathered his own flock, he walks ahead of them, and they follow him because they know his voice. They won’t follow a stranger; they will run from him because they don’t know his voice” (John 10:3-5).
Two voices are described here. One is the voice of the Good Shepherd—Jesus. The other is the voice of anyone who pulls us away from Him.
The voices both speak to our hearts and minds, but following one or the other leads to drastically different destinations. The Good Shepherd uses His voice to lead people to salvation, freedom, “good pastures,” and “a rich and satisfying life” (John 10:3,9-10). The enemy’s voice leads away from truth and to deception and destruction. “The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy” (John 10:10).
Believers in Jesus are called to take every thought captive as we “obey Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:5). We can do this by feasting on Scripture, humbling ourselves before God in prayer, and asking, Are my thoughts lining up with what the Bible teaches? (Acts 17:11).
I’ve found that as I immerse myself in Scripture, I can hear the truth about God and the truth about me. His voice and presence gives us hope and calms our hearts.