Probably Not What You Want To Hear

Self-denial. Delayed gratification. I know, not exactly the best thoughts to draw readers in.How’s this, then? Success! The way to prosperity!But self-denial and delayed gratification are necessary for success or prosperity. There is no success without sacrifice. Yet, self-denial is not easy….hence the word, “denial.” It doesn’t seem to to make sense that the only way to get things is by denying yourself things, but it is. There is no success without sacrifice.A year ago in January I got on a scale and read the embarrassing aftermath of gaining about three pounds a year over the past ten years. I decided to lose weight. The first month––nothing. The second month––nothing. Third month––nothing. Then I realized that this was really going to take some work. I had to stop eating while I was still hungry. I had to stop snacking all-together (which was a KILLER!). I quit ice cream and sweets in general. I had to start working out. Believe me, as simple as it sounds, there were years of habits to overcome and it felt like some pretty serious denial for a few months. But then the pounds started dropping off and it actually became fun. In about six months, I lost the 25 pounds I needed to lose.Becoming a skilled musician takes self-denial (if you practice only when you feel like it, you’ll never be good). Achieving excellence at work takes self-denial (denying yourself the office gossip around the water cooler, the urge to procrastinate, the snooze button to get in early, etc.). If you want financial independence, you’re going to have to say “no” to a lot of things (like cars, toys, too much house, the latest of whatever, etc.). Success in any venture takes sacrifice.Jesus taught us that the ultimate success in our existence depends on our willingness to make the ultimate sacrifice––our lives. He said, “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me” (Mark 8:34, NIV). He also said, “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” (Mark 16:25, NLT). Jesus taught that to achieve the ultimate in life, intimacy with God, it’s going to take some serious self-denial.Maybe that’s why Paul used the analogy of an athlete working out in the gym to prepare for competition, with spiritual growth. He said, “Exercise yourself toward godliness….” and then explained, “Physical exercise has some value, but spiritual exercise is much more important, for it promises a reward in both this life and the next” (1 Timothy 4:7, 8).It takes sacrifice to develop your relationship with God. Yep. Lots of it. But Paul was right, the results are eternally worth it.