Verse of the Day

“For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for Me will find it.”

— Matthew 16:25

Devotion

There’s a reason this verse can feel upside-down at first. It goes against everything our natural instincts scream at us: hold tight, protect yourself, keep control, and don’t let go of what feels familiar—even if it’s slowly wearing you down.

And yet Jesus says the opposite: if you cling to your life like it belongs to you, you’ll lose it. But if you place it in His hands, you’ll finally find it.

A lot of people picture faith like a heavy backpack—rules, restrictions, seriousness, sacrifice. They hear “obedience” and think “loss.” They hear “worship” and think “burden.” Like God is asking them to trade joy for duty.

But that’s not how Jesus operates. When God asks you to lay down your “old life,” He’s not trying to take your happiness. He’s trying to rescue you from the things you’re calling happiness that are actually draining you. Sometimes what we cling to feels precious only because it’s familiar—old habits, old patterns, old comforts, old control.

God doesn’t ask for surrender to punish you. He asks for surrender to free you. Because real joy isn’t found in fighting to keep everything together. Real joy is found when you finally stop carrying what you were never meant to carry alone.

He doesn’t just call us to obedience—He promises to help us walk it out. He doesn’t just say “do better”—He says, “Come to Me… and I will give you rest.”

So today, don’t be afraid of what God is asking you to release. If He’s calling you into obedience, it’s because He already knows what’s on the other side of it: a life that’s steadier, cleaner, lighter, and stronger than the one you’re trying to protect by yourself.

Rejoice—not because everything is easy, but because God is able. And because the life He gives is always better than the life we cling to in fear.

Prayer

Lord, I want to accept what You’ve placed in front of me with gladness. Help me trust You when obedience feels costly. Remind me that when I surrender my old ways, You replace them with something better. Strengthen me to carry my responsibilities with gratitude, knowing You are right here with me. Let my life be joyful—not because it’s perfect, but because it’s Yours. Amen.

— Josh Bridges