What Are You Willing to Give Up?

One night around 2:30 a.m., God woke me from a deep sleep.

His words were clear: “Tricia, you need to write a book on church hurt.” I immediately responded, “I did. Wait. Pause. Trust.”

Then came a gentle correction. “No, you left out the details to protect the people and the church. Now it’s time to write the details.” 

My heart sank. Not because I didn’t know what He was asking, but because I understood the cost. Then He continued: “It’s not about them. It’s not about you. It’s about those who have experienced similar hurts. It’s about the people who are stuck, wounded, or who have walked away from their faith because of the harm that was done to them.” I sat quietly.

By this point, things were finally improving. Relationships were healing. We were finding favor again within our church community. The tension that had once existed seemed to be fading.

So I asked Him the question that was really in my heart. “God, we’re finally gaining ground again. If I write this book, we could lose everything we’ve gained.” 

Then came the question that changed everything. “Tricia, what are you willing to give up to follow Me?”

I knew the answer immediately. “Everything.”

And yet saying it and living it are often two different things.

As I prayed through the assignment, God led me to Scripture. He reminded me that following Him has always required surrender. Sometimes it costs comfort. Sometimes it costs approval. Sometimes it costs relationships, reputation, or places we love.

The question wasn’t whether I would lose something.

The question was whether I trusted Him enough to obey.

What Are We Willing to Give Up?

Most of us want to follow Jesus when it costs very little. But what happens when obedience costs something precious?

What if it affects your reputation?

What if people misunderstand your motives?

What if those closest to you don’t understand the assignment God has given you?

What if it costs your comfort?

Your community?

Your church family?

These are not easy questions. And I don’t pretend they are. This road has not been easy.

Recently, I was invited to share about Redirected, Not Rejected on a podcast. Afterward, seven people from our church expressed concern. Two were in leadership. One individual was especially upset. Ironically, she was also someone I had sent the manuscript to before publication because I wanted to honor both the church and its leadership. I wanted feedback. I wanted accountability. I wanted to ensure the book’s purpose remained healing, not harmful. 

Later she told me something that stuck with me. “If I had read the book first, I wouldn’t have been so upset about the podcast.”

That statement reminded me of something important: People often react to what they think we’re saying rather than what we’re actually saying.

The Purpose Was Never the Church

This book was never written to expose a church.

It was never written to criticize leadership.

It was never written to revisit old wounds.

It was written for the person sitting in pain wondering if God abandoned them.

For the believer who quietly slipped away after being hurt.

For the woman who still loves Jesus but no longer trusts His people.

For the man questioning whether his calling still matters after being misunderstood.

The message is simple:

God is still there. God still has a plan. And what feels like rejection may actually be redirection.

The Cost of Obedience

The older I get, the more I realize that every meaningful assignment from God requires surrender.

Joseph lost his family before he gained a nation.

David lost comfort before he gained a kingdom.

Esther risked her life before she saved her people.

And Jesus gave everything.

Obedience has always carried a cost. But God’s purposes are always greater than what we surrender.

Today, I find myself asking the same question God asked me:

What are you willing to give up to follow Him?

Because sometimes the very thing we’re afraid to lose becomes the thing we place on the altar.

And sometimes what feels like loss becomes the doorway to the very people God is calling us to reach.

If my story helps even one person find healing, return to fellowship, trust God again, or answer the call on their life, then every uncomfortable conversation was worth it.

Every misunderstanding was worth it.

Every sacrifice was worth it.

Because the Kingdom has always been bigger than us. And the One who calls us is faithful.

A Challenge for You

Take a few moments this week and ask God a simple but courageous question:

“Lord, what am I holding onto that is keeping me from fully following You?”

Then listen.

Maybe it’s fear.

Maybe it’s approval.

Maybe it’s comfort.

Maybe it’s a relationship, a title, a reputation, or even a hurt you’ve carried for years.

Whatever He reveals, trust Him with it.

Because on the other side of surrender is freedom.

And on the other side of obedience is often a purpose far greater than anything we could have imagined.

Love,

Tricia