Slideshow image

HOLY IN SPIRIT

John 12:25 - “The one who loves his life will lose it, and the one who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.”

Luke 9:23 - “If anyone wants to follow after Me, let him deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow Me.”

 

Slow Read (Self & Surrender)

Read John 12:25 three times, slowly.

• First reading: Notice the contrast—love and lose, hate and keep.

• Second reading: Notice what Jesus is not condemning—life itself—but self-preservation.

• Third reading: Sit with this phrase: “Will keep it for eternal life.”

Remain silent for one full minute. Let the Spirit press gently.

 

Heart Questions

Reflection

Where am I trying to protect my comfort, reputation, control, or desires?

 

What would “dying to self” look like in my daily habits?

 

Do I believe that surrender now leads to life later?

 

Let honesty surface. No defensiveness.

 

Spiritual Insight

Jesus is not calling you to self-hatred. He is calling you to self-surrender. To “love your life” in this context means clinging to control, protecting comfort, guarding pride, preserving self above obedience. To “hate” your life means placing eternity above temporary gain, choosing obedience over comfort, trusting resurrection over preservation. The seed that refuses to break open never multiplies. The life that refuses surrender never transforms.

 

Prayer

Jesus, I confess how tightly I grip what feels secure. My plans. My image. My comfort. Today, I lay down the need to protect myself at all costs. Teach me to trust that what I release in You is not lost—it is redeemed. Help me die daily, so I may truly live eternally. I yield my life to Yours. Amen.

 

WHOLE IN MIND — Name the Grip

Take 2–3 minutes and ask:

“What part of my identity or comfort feels hardest to surrender?”

What you grip tightly may be what needs planting.

 

HEALTHY IN BODY — The Control Release

Yesterday you identified a physical pattern. Today you interrupt it.

Choose one behavior that expresses control or comfort in your life.

For example:

Behaviors

 

Constant phone checking

Overworking without pause

Filling silence with noise

Avoiding difficult conversations

Snacking out of boredom

Staying busy to avoid reflection

 

For one hour today, intentionally remove it. No substitutes. No distractions to replace it.

If you normally:

 

Instead Of…

Do This…

Scroll

Sit in quiet

Snack

Sit with hunger

Overwork

Stop and rest

Fill silence

Stay silent

 

When discomfort rises, don’t fix it. Instead pray: “Father, I yield control.”



Pay attention to what surfaces:

What Surfaces? Anxiety, Restlessness, Irritation, Fear

 

Those reactions reveal attachment. This is not punishment. This is exposure.

Surrender begins where control is interrupted.

 

Closing Posture

You cannot preserve your way into glory. You yield your way into it. Death to self is not destruction. It is preparation for fruit.

 

Series Content
Make Yourself