Luke 14:25-30

Amplified Bible

²⁵ Now large crowds were going along with Jesus; and He turned and said to them, ²⁶ “If anyone comes to Me, and does not ^[a]hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life [in the sense of indifference to or relative disregard for them in comparison with his attitude toward God]—he cannot be My disciple. ²⁷ Whoever does not carry his own cross [expressing a willingness to endure whatever may come] and follow after Me [believing in Me, conforming to My example in living and, if need be, suffering or perhaps dying because of faith in Me] cannot be My disciple. ²⁸ For which one of you, when he wants to build a watchtower [for his guards], does not first sit down and calculate the cost, to see if he has enough to finish it?²⁹ Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is unable to finish [the building], all who see it will begin to ridicule him,³⁰ saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish!’

On this journey down the narrow road of restoration, I’ve discovered that getting- and staying healthy is HARD. Hiring a counselor was HARD. Humbling myself to ask for help was HARD. It cost my body a lot of time and money. It cost my soul a lot of letting go to embrace God’s will and way for my life, according to His Word. Hiring a nutrition coach was HARD. Humbling myself to ask for help was HARD. It cost my body a lot of time and money. It cost my soul a lot of letting go to embrace God’s will and way for my life, according to His Word.

Staying on the path others helped prepare me for is still… HARD. I no longer have constant encouragement from my counselor and coach. Outside influences aren’t holding me accountable. I must rely fully on the One who dwells on the inside to help me persevere. I’ll admit, at times I’ve felt discouraged. I even entertained the passing thought that said it would be easier to just quit. But what a waste that would be! The foundation has already been laid. I MUST keep building. This house needs to be healthy- and holy. This house needs to be a place God’s Spirit wants to dwell. This house needs to reflects JESUS to a world living in darkness.

I see so many in this generation receiving the Lord with joy, yet refusing to build their lives on His Word. They get caught up in the trap of successful ministry, seeking the approval and applause of man as they use their gifts to build His Kingdom, yet all the while- they do not know Him. In due season, the winds and waves inevitably come crashing down over their lives. The resulting devastation often brings destruction to their family and the family of God as their unstable foundation drifts back into the sea.

Getting healthy and staying healthy in the Lord is HARD. The cross is weighty. Following Jesus is costly. But if we’ll stay on the narrow road which leads to the valley of the shadow, we will find life…after death.  This is the way, my friend. This is the truth. It’s good news! It’s the gospel of Jesus Christ.

The Father is searching for sons and daughters who will give up everything to worship Him in Spirit and Truth. He wants us to be healthy- and holy. He wants us to be ready for His Son’s return. The day is drawing near, my friend. Will you surrender to His Spirit? Will you submit to the Lord’s training; body and soul?

Healthy is HARD.

Holy is HARD.

But, HE is WORTHY!!!