Self Denial by Jobin Daniel
“For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.” Philippians 1:21
As people, we have emotional and physical needs while we are on this earth. Jesus doesn’t want us to give up those to follow Him. In a day, we need food, water, and fellowship and most importantly; communion with God. He made us all unique, and we can’t function happily if we give those up. When Jesus calls us to deny yourself, he means to give up the things in which we try to have in greed. Hunger for worldly things will overshadow the hunger for God.
In a famous analogy, a child who stuffs himself with junk food will no longer feel hunger towards a healthy meal that comes after.
As worldly people, we believe into the lie that we can only be joyous if we are financial and physically well off. Which isn’t true. God can give peace and joy in the most troublesome of cases. Paul had found himself singing praises to God, and ministering to his inmates while imprisoned. He left behind all that he had for the sake of Gods’ kingdom.
“For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.” Philippians 1:21. Paul had denied his own understanding to persecute Christians, he denied his own way of life and thinking to follow the divine calling."