Jesus was truthful right from the start. “Let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow Me if he were to come after Me.” The cost of discipleship is a daily surrender of our right to solace, dominance, and retribution rather than a one-time admission fee. It is particularly burdensome when God appears silent, and life seems unfair.
Learning to trust God when obedience costs us something material is one of the biggest discipleship challenges. Some people lose their relationships because they won’t compromise the truth. Others who prioritize integrity over advancement experience injustice at work. Others experience rejection just for being followers of Christ. You are not failing as a disciple because of any of these events. They frequently serve as proof that you are on the narrow path.
Our natural tendency is to defend ourselves or demand explanations when life is unfair. But Jesus leads us along a better route. Despite being horribly wronged and wrongly accused, He trusted the Father. Adhering to Him does not imply that injustice is not painful. It entails selecting loyalty over resentment, prayer over vengeance, and hope over hopelessness.
Learning patience is another cost of following Jesus. Trials are rarely immediately eliminated by God, but He always makes use of them. Injustice-filled seasons strengthen our faith, increase our reliance on Christ, and mold us into disciples who embody His qualities. In the long run, spiritual fruit frequently emerges from what initially seems like loss.
Do not believe that God has abandoned you if you are being treated unfairly today. Rather, consider it a call to further discipleship. Christ assures you that no act of loyalty is wasted and walks with you through your pain.
I invite you to check out our free Biblical Life Skill Guides if this subject interests you. You can find useful, scripture-based resources there in PDF and audio forms to help you through every stage of life.
I particularly like the book “Walking and Worshiping Through Personal Injustice,” which addresses the suffering and concerns that arise when following Jesus seems costly.