
There was a time in my life when I felt like I had it all! The thrills, freedom, and the kind of reckless abandon that comes with living life on the edge. But underneath it all, there was a deep emptiness, a void that nothing seemed to fill.
It wasn’t until I found Jesus that I understood how misguided I had been, chasing after things that only led to destruction. Today, I want to share a simple yet profound truth: Nothing we give up for God is wasted.
Ephesians 5:18 – “Do not get drunk on wine, a path leading to ruin, but be filled with the Spirit.”
Have you ever wondered if the sacrifices we make for God are truly worth it? I used to question this myself. But now, after experiencing the transformative power of surrendering my life to Him, I can confidently say that every sacrifice has led to unimaginable peace and joy.
Matthew 16:24-26 – “Then Jesus said to his disciples, ‘If anyone wants to follow me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. What does it profit a man to gain the whole world but lose his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?”
The Cost of Sin
Looking back, my life was a chaotic mess of broken relationships and fleeting pleasures. I’ve been married and divorced three times! Each relationship crumbling under the weight of my own selfishness and lack of commitment. My lifestyle was anything but righteous—I indulged in everything that the world offered, from sleeping around and drinking excessively to smoking weed and battling addiction. The temporary highs were followed by deep lows, leaving me with nothing but regret and pain.

Sin has a way of masking its true cost. It lures us in with promises of pleasure and fulfilment, but in reality, it only drags us deeper into darkness.
Now, listen to me carefully! Hell is not just a concept; it’s a very real place, and the path I was on was leading me straight there.
The thought of an eternity separated from God, enduring unimaginable suffering, is terrifying. Yet, in my sinful state, I was blind to this truth.
The urgency of seeking salvation, of turning away from sin, cannot be overstated. The longer we hold on to our earthly vices, the closer we edge toward eternal damnation.
Romans 6:23: “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
The Joy of Surrender

When I moved to the South Coast, God blessed me with abundance and life was great, so I thought. Drugs were no longer a part of me, but still I squandered His blessings on earthly nonsense. As a reminder, God led me back to a place of humbleness. Another desert season loomed ahead of me!
Then something incredible happened—I found Jesus. Or rather, He found me in my brokenness and extended a hand of Grace that I never thought I deserved.
Giving up the sinful habits that had defined my life for so long wasn’t as difficult as I imagined.
With Jesus by my side, the urge to drink, to cheat, to numb myself with drugs, all began to fade away. It was as if a heavy burden was lifted off my shoulders, and for the first time in years, I felt free.
Philippians 4:13 – “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
Surrendering my life to God brought a peace that I had never known before. It’s a peace that the world cannot offer, a deep sense of fulfilment that comes from knowing I am walking in God’s will.
The pleasures I once sought now seem trivial in comparison to the joy I’ve found in Christ. The life I gave up was one of emptiness, but the life I’ve gained is filled with purpose and hope.
Galatians 5:22-23: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such things there is no law.”
The Benefits of Sacrifice
One of the greatest misconceptions is that following Jesus means giving up everything that makes life enjoyable. But the truth is, what we gain far outweighs what we lose. When we surrender our lives to God, we open ourselves up to eternal rewards that are beyond our wildest dreams.
The Bible speaks of a Heaven where there is no more pain, no more sorrow, only everlasting joy in the presence of God.
Revelation 21:4: “He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”
But even before we reach Heaven, there are rewards to be found here on Earth. A life surrendered to God is a life of purpose. Instead of chasing after fleeting pleasures, we find fulfilment in serving others, in loving our neighbours, in living out the values that Jesus taught us.
The peace that comes from knowing you are walking in God’s will is priceless. It’s a peace that no amount of money, success, or earthly pleasure can provide.
Heaven isn’t just a place we go to when we die; it’s a state of peace and joy that we can experience right now. When we give up our earthly desires, we make room for God to fill us with His presence, His love, and His peace.
The more we surrender, the more we are transformed into the image of Christ, and the more we experience the abundant life He promised.
Philippians 3:14: “I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”
A Life of Purpose and Peace | Nothing We Give Up for God is Wasted

As I look back on my life, I can see how God has used every mistake, every failure, and every sacrifice for His glory. Nothing we give up for God is wasted.
Each time we choose to let go of something that hinders our walk with Him, we are investing in our eternal future. The pain of giving up sinful habits is temporary, but the rewards are everlasting.
If you’re struggling with sin, if you feel like you’re too far gone, I want to encourage you—there is hope. Jesus is waiting with open arms, ready to help you break free from the chains that bind you.
The journey won’t always be easy, but with God, all things are possible. And trust me, the peace and joy that come from living a life surrendered to Him are worth every sacrifice.
So take that step today. Surrender your life to Jesus, and experience the freedom that comes from living in His will. Remember, nothing we give up for God is wasted. Every sacrifice leads to a life of purpose, peace, and ultimately, eternal joy in His presence.
Colossians 3:1-4: “Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated on the throne of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died to this life, and your real life is now hidden with Christ in God. And when Christ, who is your life, appears, you too will appear with him in glory.”
A Simple Prayer of Acceptance
Here’s a simple prayer you can use to accept Jesus into your life:
Lord Jesus, I believe You are the Son of God. I believe You died for my sins and rose from the dead. I repent of my sins and turn to You for forgiveness. I ask You to come into my life and be my Lord and Savior. Thank You for loving me and saving me.
Remember: Salvation is a gift from God, not something we can earn. This prayer is simply a way to express your faith and trust in Jesus. If you have any other questions, need a prayer, or would like to talk more about your faith, leave a comment.
Dankie aan Pastoor Desmond Wessels – jy weet nie hoeveel jy vir my beteken nie!
Thank you to Ps Larry Elliot and everyone at Rhema South Coast for being part of my revival!
The truth is that nothing we give up for God is wasted!

James Bean is a passionate content creator, writer, father and grandad with a heart for storytelling and a journey of transformation.
From a life of indulgence to finding peace through faith, James’s experiences shape the authenticity and depth of his writing.
He now dedicates his life to inspiring others through his words and faith. Discover more about James and his work on his website, and check out his latest children’s book on Amazon.