One question echoed through my mind every time I encountered another spiritual attack leading up to my recent book launch. Is it worth it? Sometimes the battle comes to you. For example:
- While I spoke at a church to celebrate the release of Give Yourself a Break my four-year-old male standard poodle clung to life in an Addison’s crisis.
- I met my oncologist for the first time the morning of the evening launch of Little Women, Big God at Barnes and Noble. (My doctor thought I had ovarian cancer. Thankfully, surgery showed I didn’t.)
- The day before the release of Little Faith, Big God, my female poodle died in my arms. She had just turned seven.
. - The year before the release of Little Strength, Big God, battles ranging from personal attacks to debilitating fatigue and time-consuming technical issues zapped my time and attention.
Would those losses and aggravations have happened anyway? Maybe. But I know I’m not alone in facing intense battles surrounding projects serving the Lord.
If I were working for a grade, a position, a raise, recognition, or to please someone then it wouldn’t be worth the battles and hassles. But that is not why I write and teach. When considering my question, I realized I needed to exchange one two-letter word for another to find my answer.
When I change the question of “Is it worth it?” to “Is He worth it? I have my answer.
- Is it worth it to love your enemy?
- Is it worth it to speak truth when speaking truth draws fire?
- Is it worth it to pray for your nation when you see no positive change?
Because of the sweeping changes in our culture, all who seek to walk with Jesus are in a battle of right versus wrong and truth versus lies. We no longer have to be called to the front lines. The battle has come to us.
So my question isn’t just for me. The question is for all of us. Is Jesus worth our love and sacrifice? Is Jesus worth the battles following Him will surely bring?
Has a battle caused you to question whether it’s worth it to press on? Maybe, like me, you need to consider why you do what you do. If your battles have come because you faithfully follow Jesus, then your query isn’t “Is it worth it?” but “Is He worth it?”
“Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted” (2 Tim. 3:12 NASB 1995).
Little Strength, Big God
Need help fighting your battles? Let the men and women in Hebrews 11 inspire and guide you. To learn more about Little Strength, Big God go to BigGod.us.
Blessings,
Debbie
Is Jesus worth our love and sacrifice? Is Jesus worth the battles following Him will surely bring? #faith #BigGod Share on XSometimes I link with these great sites:
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Perfect question. My answer is absolutely yes He is worth it!
Yes He is! Amen. Thank you, Ann.
The substitution of He for it is such a great idea- truly puts everything in the right perspective!
I agree. It changes everything. Thanks, Kim.
Amen, Debbie. That’s how to put all of life in perspective. Thanks and God bless!
Nancy, you’re right. If we live for Him, that perspective changes everything.
Good word sis. I do want to read your book. Right now I’m reading about 4 books at once, so I gotta wait to order it. Much success (for his glory, of course). I pray that many will hear (read) and believe that God is bigger than any struggle and worth the cost. Gina (just beginning to write again, btw….please pray).
Thank you, Gina. May the Lord bless your return to writing.
Is HE worth it? What a great way to look at the question. It made me reflect on obstacles to my latest book. In the last year I had a bad case of Covid, Covid induced pancreatitis, trigger finger and trigger thumb making it nearly impossible to type, AFib diagnosis, one adult child with cancer and surgery, a grandchild hospitalized, severely worsening glaucoma and macular degeneration, and my rheumatoid arthritis has worsened ten fold. I could had six more medical issues, each of which would knock most to their knees. I hadn’t inventoried the challenges until reading your article. Yea I’m 70 this year and the body wears out. I have asked “why me Lord?” and even said, okay God, I get it. I’m writing a book titled “Wait Upon the Lord” and your teaching me to wait, your timing, etc. The is HE worth it question hadn’t been on my radar. Thanks, I needed that POV this morning.
Oh, Jimmie. Your life sounds like Job. May the Lord grant you relief and double blessing as He did for Job. And may His favor rest on your writing of this book.
I have been trying to write a children’s book series for many years now. It’s taken so long because I am fighting LYMES disease and the battle has been huge. I have VERY little strength to do ANYTHING but feel very called to get these books out to children. Your book Little Strength Big God resounded in my ears and I felt like it has been a personal book written to me. I know my God is big, but the attacks when writing sometimes can wipe me out for days! I am excited to read this book and be reminded that so many of God’s children had little strength to do what God called them to do but God’s Grace was with them in the midst of it all to keep moving forward. Thank you for persevering through some very rough battles as you have written the series of our BIG GOD!
Lisa, I’m so sorry to hear about your battle with Lyme. May the Lord grant you renewed strength and motivation to fulfill the dream He’s place in your heart!
Love this Debbie!
Thank you, Connie.
No truer words. I’m so sorry for your little one’s passing. But they are in Heaven! So says J I Packer!
I feel constant demonic attacking. I understand!
I’m sure you do Sue. You’re in the thick of it!
This quote from Julian of Norwich seems like a good mission statement for writers:
“I know very well that what I am saying so have received by the revelation of him who is the sovereign teacher. But it is truly love which moves me to tell it, for I want God to be known and my fellow Christians to prosper, as I hope to prosper myself, by hating sin more and loving God more.”
Michele, thank you. I don’t think I’ve ever heard that before. Yes, a very good mission statement.
Debbie, such good questions to think on. “So my question isn’t just for me. The question is for all of us. Is Jesus worth our love and sacrifice? Is Jesus worth the battles following Him will surely bring?” You brought to mind a song which I had to stop and is now playing in the background.
https://youtu.be/OIahc83Kvp4?si=Smj2Yarhrcn62LXt
I love that song! I too thought of it when I wrote this. Thanks, Joanne, for sharing it.
A question I often ask myself is, “Am I tired of the battle yet?” Yes, somedays I am a weary soldier. Tired of battle. Tired of watching souls lost that I tried to save. Yet, weary though I may be, I endeavor to fight the good fight of faith and stand strong in support of my King, my Lord, my Savior, my everything. Sometimes it feels that I lose more than I win. Yet, I continue getting back up. Sometimes with His help, I stand and fight the next fight. I pray that when His day arrives, I fall into His arms, exhausted and victorious. God’s blessings and thank you for your encouragement today Ms. Debbie.
J.D., you sound like a good soldier. May we all be faithful until that day when we see Jesus!
What a helpful shift in perspective. It’s so easy to get caught up in the negative things going wrong and forget the larger picture. We need to focus on the “Who” rather than the “What.” “Looking unto Jesus . . .”
Amen, Barbara. Looking to Jesus always.
You ask the questions which cause us to closely examine our faith and how we show our faith to others. Thank you for this thought provoking message, Debbie. May God bless your writing in service of His kingdom.
May He do the same for you! Thanks, Katherine!
Amen. He is so worth it.
Yes!
God has blessed me with unusual tenacity. Some call it stubbornness, but it might be one of the lesser known spiritual gifts . I’ve found that God is always worth it.
Love that, Annie! The gift of tenacity. Good for you. Yes, He is always worth it!
Love the simple word change / huge perspective change!
Thanks, Stephanie!