From Self-Denial to True Life

From Self-Denial to True Life

I do not like being told “no.”

If I want to do something, I should be able to do it.

If I want to wear my jammies all day, I am allowed to be offended when my husband suggests that I put on “real” clothes.  If I want to eat an entire pan of brownies, everyone around me should refrain from suggesting that I stop at two.

I am a grown woman and can make my own decisions.

I can do what I please.

Right?

We live in a culture that tells us to do what feels good. We want what we want when we want it, and we rarely deny ourselves. Why would we ever willingly choose to deny ourselves? Is there any benefit to self-denial?

What if I told you that great blessing awaits those who lay down their desires?

What if your purpose was connected to self-denial?

God does ask us to deny ourselves.

In Matthew 16:24 Jesus said, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross and follow me. “  (ESV)

Why does God want us to deny ourselves?

When we lay down our desires and live surrendered, we make room for God to have His way in our lives. Denying our flesh frees us up to partner with God and what He is doing. This is not simply about abstaining, but about setting aside our agendas and plans for His far better ones.

Catch hold of this, friends. Self-denial is not a punishment from a vindictive God who is withholding from you. On the contrary, God is gracious and the giver of every perfect gift. This is about purpose and participation!

Yes, there is a cost to being a disciple.  There is always a cost when we deny our flesh or relinquish our desires. The cost is our comfort and the feeling of being in control. But please don’t get discouraged and become paralyzed by the cost. There is a benefit that far outweighs the cost. Look what Jesus said next!

“If you try to keep your life for yourself, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for me, you will find true life. “ (Matthew 16:25 TPT)

True life is what awaits those who lay it all down. Far too often we settle for just surviving, for a mundane life. You were not created to just survive. You were created for a purpose: to partner with the Lord, build His Kingdom, and serve one another. Rick Warren connects self-denial with purpose when he says, “You were made for significance. Significance comes from giving your life away to something greater than yourself.”

Denying ourselves shifts the focus from us to God. It produces a yielded heart that is surrendered to God and His plans. Our purpose is connected to our sacrifice. Lose your life and you will find it.

Do you want to know your calling, find your purpose, and truly live? Start laying it all down again at God’s feet. Surrender your plans, dreams, goals, and passions to Him. Then, make Him your delight. When God is your first love He begins to place desires in your heart that line up with His purposes for you. Walking out His purposes for you is when you will experience true life.

The practice of denying ourselves is a daily discipline that looks different for each of us.  To give you practical examples of what this may look like, let me share a few of areas of sacrifice I am currently choosing to enter into.

I am in a season of denying myself an extra hour of sleep because God has asked me to spend that hour with Him in prayer. This late owl prefers to sleep in, but what God has for me in those morning hours has proved way more satisfying than sixty more minutes of sleep.

For eleven years I have laid down my desire to live close to extended family because God led me to marry an amazing man in the military. Has that sacrifice resulted in true life? More than I can ever explain! I miss my family, but God has blessed me and has been so faithful.

Today I want to lay on the couch with a book and hide away while my kids are at school.  But I’ve been asked by both my children to come eat lunch with them. My flesh wants to say “no,” but I hear God’s gentle voice saying, “be available.”  So, today I will joyfully join my littles for lunch because that is what it looks like for me to deny myself right now.

How is God asking you to deny yourself today so you can follow Him?

Is there an area of your life that you have not fully surrendered over to Jesus? Ask Him to search your heart and help you lay it down. He is a good God who has good plans for you. He can be trusted.  Will you risk denying yourself in order to receive the promise of true life?

   Renee Booe is a military wife, mom of three, and a Revelation Wellness Instructor. She has heart for adoption, freedom living, and encouraging others. You can read more from her at Spur On Love.

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And just because it’s Wednesday, we can’t wait to share a new #workoutwednesday joy-filled workout with Sarah B! Lace up your sneakers and press play on this video. For more great workouts like this, join the movement over at RevWellTV, for as little as $10/month! ClickHERE for more information.

 

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2 Responses

  1. This BLESSED me! Thank you so much for sharing this. I am looking at denying my flesh with fresh eyes this morning!

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