As a Christian, what do you do when God tells you to leave everything behind? This is a huge risk, and honestly, it’s one of the most challenging decisions you’ll ever take as a Christian, as it requires you to put your trust wholly in the Lord.
But one thing is certain; when God calls on us to step out into unknown territory, He is faithful and will provide what we need if we are willing to follow Him.
In this blog post, I’ll share insights into what you should do when God tells you to leave everything behind.
What Does It Mean To Give Up Everything For God?
Giving up everything for God is a bold and courageous decision. It can mean any of the following
- Surrendering one’s desires, ambitions, and material possessions to serve God’s purpose.
- Leaving behind a successful career, a comfortable lifestyle, or even a loved one.
When God Tells You To Leave Everything Behind, What Do You Do?
When God calls you to leave everything behind, you must focus on Him and His plan. It can be tempting to doubt or question His call initially, but it’s important to remember that He knows what is best for you and ultimately wants you to succeed.
Here are some things you can do.
1. Take Courage and Step Out In Faith
Remember that you are not alone. God will be with you every step of the way, providing strength and courage when you need it most. He knows your heart and understands your fears, so don’t be afraid to take a risk and step out in faith. It’s an opportunity to trust that God is with you and will lead you on the path He has planned for you. We get an affirmation in Jer. 29:11. Don’t let fear stop you from doing what is right – be brave and have faith in God.
2. Trust That God Will Provide
When we leave everything behind to follow God, it can feel like we’re leaping into the unknown. But don’t worry — God will provide the necessary resources to make this transition successful! He cares about your needs and will ensure you get what you need. Phil 4:19 sums it up – God will supply our needs.
3. Pray for Help
Pray for guidance when faced with a such a decision. Pray and ask God to lead you in the right direction and align your heart with His plan. He will provide the answers you need if you trust Him and keep an open heart.
Does God Want Me To Give Up Everything?
The short answer is no – God does not want us to give up everything. Instead, He wants us to surrender our will and desires to Him so that we can serve His purposes on earth. When we do this, we experience true joy and fulfillment as we live out His plan for our lives!
What Does The Bible Say About Giving Up Everything?
The Bible is full of verses about giving up everything for God. As believers, it is important to remember that when we trust Him, He will guide us and provide all the resources needed to follow His path.
Matthew 6:33 states, “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” We must put God first to experience true joy and fulfillment.
The Bible also encourages us to give up our possessions and trust Him. In Luke 12:15, Jesus said, “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” We must detach ourselves from earthly things and pursue spiritual riches instead.
Mark 10:21 states “Then Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, ‘One thing you lack: Go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come take up the cross, and follow Me.'”
This tells us that we must be willing to let go of our possessions and follow Jesus when he asks us to do it.
The Bible tells us that it is worthwhile to give all to God. 2 Corinthians 8:5 says, “And they [the Macedonians] gave themselves first to the Lord, and then by the will of God to us.” This verse tells us that we must give ourselves to God before anything else, and He, in turn, will connect us to the right people according to his will.
What Bible Verse Talks About Leaving All To Follow Jesus?
The Bible verse about leaving all to follow Jesus is found in Luke 5:11. It reads, “And when they had brought their boats to land, they left everything and followed Him.”
This verse tells us that we must be willing to let go of the comforts of this world if we want to follow Christ. We must be ready to leave behind our possessions and follow Jesus with single-minded devotion.
The Bible also tells us that it is worth leaving everything behind for the sake of Christ.
In Matthew 19:29, Jesus said, “And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My name’s sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and inherit eternal life.”
How To Leave Everything And Follow Jesus?
It’s a big decision to take. I suggest you do the following.
1. Understand What It Means To Follow Jesus.
First, you should make sure you understand what it means to follow Jesus. It is important to recognize that following Him may require a complete lifestyle change, including leaving everything behind to go where He is sending you.
2. Pray For Guidance And Discernment.
Before making any decision, praying for guidance and discernment is essential. Ask God to lead you in the right direction and show you His will for your life. He will provide the answers you need when you trust in Him and seek out His plan.
3. Have Faith And Take Courageous Steps Of Faith.
Once you have prayed for guidance and discernment, you must have faith that God will provide the resources you need as you step out in faith. Believe that He will always go before you and prepare the way (Isa 45:2-3).
4. Prioritize Spiritual Growth over Earthly Comforts.
When you leave everything behind and follow Jesus, it is important to remember that it is not just about material possessions. You must prioritize spiritual growth over earthly comforts to truly experience God’s blessings. Pursue Him with all your heart, mind, soul, and strength.
5. Trust In God
It is important to continue to strengthen your trust in God. Put your faith in Him and His plans for you, no matter what it may look like. He will never leave or forsake you – He has a greater purpose for your life that only He can bring about! One prayer you should pray is found in Luke 17:5-6.
6. Live A Life of Service and Obedience
When you leave everything behind to follow Jesus, ensure you live a life of service and obedience. Put His desires first in your life and seek to do His will on earth. When we walk with Him this way, we’ll not regret leaving things behind for his name’s sake.
Who Left Everything To Follow God?
The Bible contains examples of people who leave everything behind and followed God. Throughout the New Testament, we see examples of people like the disciples, who gave up their livelihoods to follow Christ (Luke 5:11).
In the Old Testament, we see examples of people like Abraham, who left everything behind to follow God’s command (Genesis 12:1-4), and Moses, who led his people out of Egypt and into the Promised Land (Exodus 3:7-10).
What Happens When You Give Everything To God?
When you give everything to God, He will give it back to you one way or another. It might not be exactly as you gave it to Him, but He’ll certainly reward you.
You may face a period of scarcity in the short term as your faith is tested, but God will provide for you if you keep trusting Him. He knows what’s best for our lives and will help us navigate any difficult situation.
What Is It Called When You Give Up Something For God?
When we give up something for God, it is called surrender. To surrender means to relinquish control of a situation or thing. It involves letting go of our expectations and desires to serve His purposes on earth.
We can also refer to it as denying ourselves. This means to give up something you want to pursue what God wants for your life. It is a lifestyle of humility and self-sacrifice. Jesus talked about denying oneself in Matthew 16:24–26.
Surrendering everything to God might mean giving up material possessions or relationships that no longer align with His will. It also means giving up the need for security or control over our lives.
Regardless of what it looks like, surrendering everything to God is a powerful act of faith and obedience that brings us closer to Him every step of the way!
What Is The Difference Between Giving Up Something For God And Making A Sacrifice?
The difference between giving up something for God and making a sacrifice is that when you give up something for God, it is out of obedience to His will. You are trusting Him to provide what you need to serve Him.
On the other hand, when you make a sacrifice, it is more of an offering or gesture of devotion. It is done out of love and admiration for God and doesn’t necessarily have to be challenging to give up. It could be anything from a simple prayer to donating your time or money.
Ultimately, giving up something for God and sacrificing are acts of love and devotion. Both can help us grow closer to Him and strengthen our faith.
What Are The Benefits Of Surrendering To God?
Surrendering to God has many benefits.
1. It Brings Inner Peace
First and foremost, surrendering to God brings inner peace. When we surrender to His will, we let go of the worry and anxiety that comes with trying to control everything in our lives. We can rest in the knowledge that God is in control, and He will guide our steps.
2. Experience Freedom
Secondly, surrendering to God allows us to experience true freedom. This may sound counterintuitive, but we are freed from our desires and fears by relinquishing control and submitting to God’s will. We are free to live as God intended, which brings a greater sense of fulfillment and purpose.
3. Opens Door For Spiritual Growth
Thirdly, surrendering to God opens the door to spiritual growth. It’s often through the process of surrender that we are shaped and refined. It’s an opportunity to grow in our faith and deepen our relationship with God.
4. Brings Blessing & Abundance
Surrendering to God can lead to blessing and abundance. As we read in Matthew 19:29, those who leave everything for Jesus’ sake “shall receive a hundredfold, and inherit eternal life.” Surrendering to God doesn’t mean we lose; instead, we gain something far more significant in return.
Conclusion
Leaving everything behind can be a daunting prospect, but if God’s the one telling you to leave everything behind, you should heed that call. It’s going to be tough, but you’ll be glad you did so in the end.
