I bet you expected your life in Christ to be full of peace, love, and goodness. But what if I told you there’s actually a lot of risks of following Jesus?
I mean, you will literally be facing danger you may not have anticipated once you take that bold step of accepting Him as your savior.
Would you still love Him?
Truth is, the journey in walking out a personal relationship with Christ is more than just the good stuff. And oooh how good it is to know Him *cue the warm fuzzies*
But there’s a lot of unspoken challenges you’re going to face, sis. When you’re not prepared for it (as a new Christian), or when you’re not on guard for it (as a long-time believer), girl… you’re setting yourself up.
But here’s the thing—Everything you need to face these challenges can be found in the Word. That’s how much He loves us… He literally gave us a roadmap for life.
So here we go! Here’s the risks you need to know about when you accept Jesus into your life.
1. The #1 Risk of following Jesus: You instantly enter into spiritual warfare
There’s a misconception that you enter into Christ and *poof * all your problems go away. Truth is, girlfriend, you are in the middle of the most epic battle of a lifetime. Sorry to break it to ya, sister, but it’s true. How so? Well we can’t talk about the Kingdom of God without also speaking on the unfortunate kingdom of darkness. Our Heavenly Father has a church, but so does the enemy.
You have an enemy and it is 1,000% personal. How so? We know that Satan was cast down into the earth where he roams back and forth and up and down (Job 1:7).
For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Ephesians 6:12 NKJV
You see? When you accept Jesus you enter into the body of Christ. His spirit dwells in you, sis. Maning God’s enemy becomes YOUR enemy.
Sadly, many churches are hesitant to dive deep into this subject matter, equipping followers with the tools needed to fight back. It’s TRUE the war is already one (cite), but while we’re still here on earth satan and his minions will not ever stop trying to torment followers of Jesus. And by not knowing the tools to fight back in this spiritual war, countless women (maybe even you) are suffering unnecessarily.
The remedy:
Overcoming this is easy when you remember God gave us the tools to fight back right in the Holy Bible. All you need to do is:
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Put on the Armor of God
- (need help? click here to watch a YouTube video that walks you through the process).
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Plead the Blood of Jesus over yourself
- As a believer you have authority to pray the blood of Jesus cover you and everything in you and around you. It’s powerful, stuff.
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Pray every day about everything
- Take it ALL to the Lord in prayer. Be anxious for nothing because the enemy LOVES to use our fears & anxieties. Know that these feelings are not of God and that in addition to any mental health services you’re getting–you NEED to continue praying in the spirit about everything, big or small.
It’s simple but it takes discipline and as the practice becomes a daily habit you’ll become an adept warrior for Christ and your life (and the life of your kids, spouse, etc.) will change because of it.
2. Risks of Following Jesus: You might lose friends or family because of it
The Apostle Paul said it plain as day that you will be hated and persecuted when you follow Christ (2 Timothy 3:12).
Crazy huh? He is literally telling the world that there are risks of following Jesus. And wouldn’t he know it considering his own personal story.
It’s weird but it’s like… once you draw a line in the sand to say, “I’m not being like that anymore… I’m choosing to be like this, like Christ, like who GOD says I am,” people start to look at you funny.
Makes sense when we remember that this world is the enemy’s play place. It’s why we’re literally told to be in the world but not of it.
They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.” Luke 12:53 ESV
You see, Jesus came here to divide God’s kingdom from the world. And sadly, most people nowadays are IN the world, DO NOT believe in Jesus and think all Christians are just stupid morons. Why would they therefore value the life changes Holy Spirit is revealing in you?
The more you deepen into your Christian journey, the more you’ll be compelled to change things such as:
- Not feeling comfortable cussing anymore
- Desiring to treat your body as a temple and dress modestly
- Changing up the type entertainment you consume, like the music you listened to or movies that don’t vibe
These are pretty simple adjustments many walking the faith may decide to change. However, despite how “small” the changes are, people around you can really struggle when you decide to do a new thing. People don’t like change. It’s human nature.
But what if you come from a family who does know the Lord and did grow up in church? Family members might still look at you crazy, sis. Christianity and how we walk that path is really on a spectrum. The bible speaks of the lukewarm Christian meaning that some family members may talk the talk, but don’t walk the walk.
So when YOU suddenly lay down your life to pick up a new one in Jesus, and now become this changed person… this new creation… it’s often triggering–whether it’s friends, strangers, or yes, even family.
The remedy:
1. Understand the psychology of the human condition
In short it’s goes something like: not everybody’s going to like you, sis!
Human beings have a tendency be judgmental, and it’s not even always personal. I mean, be honest–I bet right now there are people you can think of who you reaeeally don’t like. I mean people you could literally go the rest of your days without ever talking to.
Don’t be ashamed to admit it, you’re not saying you hate them, but you learn to live by these wise words:
We don’t have to like them, be we do have to love them.
So if you feel that way about some people, what stops them from feeling that way about you? It’s not personal and the world isn’t required to like you. Accept it, count it all on joy, then go about ya biz, sis!
2.Take any hurt feelings to the Lord in prayer.
The risks of following Jesus means some friends and family might distance themselves. It can hurt, no matter how much you know it’s not about you personally. The gift is that He will heal all your wounds, all your hurt feelings, and I promise one day it will all make perfect sense. Keep pressing forward.
3. You’re forced to do one of the hardest things a woman can do: surrender
Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it; but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.Matthew 16:24-25
Oh how we struggle to surrender! Especially in this world that seems to glorify the opposite. It tells us that women should be independent and able to do it all alone.
But truthfully, sis, that’s a lie! And honestly, why would you even want to live that way? The Word tells us straight up it is not good for man to be alone. “Man” in this sense is speaking of humanity, not gender. We literally need each other, but we need God more. We need Jesus because without them where would we even be?
Glory to God in the highest for this indescribable gift! He gave us Himself so that we can rest in his presence. And for women who’ve had to struggle in life to make it, my goodness is that rest ever so needed.
But surrender is not what you think
It’s not just letting go and letting God. Surrender is so much more!
It’s about digging down into your soul, sis. Going so deep within and consciously choosing to give up your entire life over to Christ. This means surrendering to the Lord:
- The things you used to do
- The things you used to say
- The way you used to spend your time
Loving God and following Jesus will touch truly every part of your life, sis. Are you prepared for how uncomfortable that growth may be?
The remedy:
This one is simple as just remembering what Christ did you you
The LORD God loves you so very much, sis! It’s a John 3:16 moment. When you think of it like this, the risks of following Jesus really pale in comparison to the love that He has for you. And who doesn’t want a love like that?!
Conclusion
There’s definitely some major risks of following Jesus. You’ll engage in spiritual warfare, you’ll deal with change relationships, you’ll even have to give up a lot of your old ways.
But here’s the truth: the risk is worth it when you remember the reward!
If it ever gets tough just etch this well-known verse onto your heart: You can do all things through Christ who strengthens you.