Is it Worth It?
I have to admit that there have been times over the past year I have questioned whether it is worth it. Is RefineUs really worth it? Is it worth the pain of telling the story again? Is it worth being vulnerable? Is it worth it to allow people to see parts of our heart and our darkness that most people don’t talk about? Is it worth it? Trisha and I have often wondered if what we are writing is even making a difference?
Then God allows me to see the vision He has for RefineUs. He gives me a glimpse of what He is doing in the lives of people we’ll never meet. A few days ago, a lady named Michelle left this comment on one of our posts:
My husband confessed an affair to me this morning. We have three precious boys and I know that God led me to this site for a reason (that was several weeks ago…I had NO idea). I would’ve never dreamed it would hit so close to home for me today. Thanks for your ministry. I hope that our marriage can be restored. Please pray for us.
As I read her comment my heart just breaks for her, and two thoughts come to my mind: First, please pray for Michelle and her husband. Pray that he would find brokenness and be desperate for God. Pray for Michelle and her three boys that God would meet them where they are and provide for them in ways that they can’t even imagine. Pray for healing and restoration.
My next thought is it is worth it! If this were the only life that was touched by this ministry, IT IS WORTH IT!
Maybe you are asking the same question I’ve asked- “Is it worth it?” Is it worth it to stay in a marriage that is struggling? Is it worth it to stay pure before you find your spouse? Is it worth it to pursue a dream that you know God has placed in your heart. Is it worth it to be faithful to your spouse that you feel distant with when someone at your office seems more appealing? Is it worth it to forgive? Is it worth it to confess? Is it worth it to tell the truth? Is it worth it?
You may never know how the decisions you are making today will affect someone tomorrow. It is worth it! It is worth it to follow God and to lean into him no matter how discouraging, no matter how disappointing, no matter how difficult. God has a vision for your life and you’ll discover it as you press on…it is worth it!
Is there an area of your life today that you are wondering if it’s worth it?
27 Comments to “Is it Worth It?”
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I agree it is worth it! I'm a single person who comes to your blog all the time… I'm always encouraged that no matter what God can taken a broken life and restore it for His glory and purpose!!! I see that with your blog.
Rebecca, I feel the same way about their blog. It offers hope. It is good stuff!
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Thanks so much Lindsey! It was great to hang out with you a little yesterday!
Rebecca, I feel the same way about their blog. It offers hope. It is good stuff!
My recent post Message Received. Loud and Clear
Thank you so much Rebecca! Our goal is for this web site to be a place for people…not single or married…not divorced or newlyweds…not adulterers or people in addiction…just people. Your words allow me to know we are reaching our target audience!
Thank you!
I'm not feeling that today but have in the past…and it's so incredible when God blows away our doubting by showing us fruit of the labor. He's so awesome.
BTW…any time you question if this is worth it, let me know. I'll come beat you with a wet noodle until you stop questioning.
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Thanks Jason…I'm not one who loves the wet noodle! So I might not look you up in those situations.
wow! i'm so sad that you have to even question if it is worth it. i am so sorry this pain is part of your lives, but i wish you NEVER have to question if your ministry through this website (and the many other things you do) is worth it.
you both, and this website, were HUGELY instrumental in my husband confessing to me his affair 6 weeks ago. he learned SO much through reading your words. this website convinced him he HAD to COMPLETELY cut off all contact with her. his conversations with justin have been more impactful than i can say.
this website has given me hope. it has shown me that this won't kill me (which is what it feels like at times!). it has shown me that God really can redeem any mess we make and use it for HIS glory…IF we submit to Him and ruthlessly follow and obey Him and let Him heal us.
i don't have the vocabulary to express my thankfulness to you both for this website, your ministry, and the time you have spent talking and emailing with us. it has been a big instrument in saving our family.
i can only imagine how difficult this can be for you both, to relive this and to share what God has taught you through difficult times. but i pray that God protects you from satan tempting you with thoughts of "is this worth it". i know you see that it IS worth it, but i hope that you won't have inklings of doubt…ever!
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Vicky…thank you so much for your words of encouragement! We are so thankful for the opportunity to serve you guys and to be used by God to help bring hope to you and your family! We are praying for you and cheering for you and believe that ALL things are possible!
Totally. Worth. It. And I thank you for opening yourselves up to the rest of us oh-so-fallible Christians. You’ve reminded this one of the hope in God’s forgiveness, mercy, and grace.
Amy
Thank you Amy!
What a post! Thanks brother for you're honesty and ministry. I hope we can chat it up one of these days. I've been really pushing deep lately wondering is it worth it? Is doing ministry worth it. The road is full of challenges and I'm only 22 is it worth it!? But I know it is, I know what I do, and seeing what God does during my time with youth, is just full of blessings. It sucks at times, but HE has a plan. Keep the faith brother. You & your wife are a blessing to all. God is using y'all.
Hey Rhys…thanks so much for your encouragement! I'd love to talk sometime. If you want to get together for coffee or lunch…I'll buy. Just name the time and place. Thanks for your twitter love and for serving the Kingdom and people! Praying for you!
DEFINITELY worth it! Our competitive society trains us to put up the best front, to project a flawless image to the rest of the world. (Trust me; I'm a PR professional.) Unfortunately, our churches may be even worse. In a place where we should be the most secure, the most comfortable admitting who we really are, there is tremendous pressure to put up the smiling, happy facade. In this environment, your (plural!) transparency is challenging, comforting and encouraging! I think your ministry is going to have an exponential effect – you're encouraging the ministry of wounded healers everywhere.
thanks for the post. We are currently seeking adoption and it is overwhelming. None of the churches we have contacted have adoption/orphan ministries nor funds. We do not know where just yet nor how we will fund it but is it worth it? YES.
Wow…I will be praying for the journey you are on right now. Some of our best friends traveled the road that you are on, and I have seen up close how hard it can be.
It is so worth it! Amazing to see how God is using the two of you!
My recent post Message Received. Loud and Clear
Its so weird that this is your topic today, because just this morning in my quiet time I was telling God I didn't know if I could go on standing for my marriage. Nothing seems to change and it appears to me that there is no activity on the other side of the mountain. He keeps pushing me farther away and it seems useless and hopeless…But God is able to do the impossible. Then I open up your blog and on the nuckles it says DON'T QUIT…could that be God talking to me? Yes it is worth it…your blog is awesome!
Thanks Pam…I know there are days when quitting seems like less work. I am glad that God is speaking to you. I know you are on a tough journey right now, but you are in our prayers.
Thank you for bearing the pain and vulnerability. The ripples are reaching places I'm sure you never imagined. What the two of you are walking out is such an inspiration.
Thank you! We are honored to be used in this way!
I too have been following your blog for some time and have thought, "Wow they are doing something great! Something so needed." Not thinking that I would be the one in need.
I too found out my husband had an affair over the weekend. We have a young baby and I am devastated. Because of your testimony, I have hope that we too can survive by the grace of God.
Hurt…I am so very sorry! Please let us know if we can do anything to serve you. I will be praying for you, your husband and your family. If you want to email me your email address, I will have my wife reach out to you. My email is davisfamily05(at)gmail dot com. Again, we are praying for you.
I read this today and thought of this post…back to back days of knuckles to the back of my head…needed it.
2 Corinthians 4:16 (The Message)
16-18So we're not giving up. How could we! Even though on the outside it often looks like things are falling apart on us, on the inside, where God is making new life, not a day goes by without his unfolding grace. These hard times are small potatoes compared to the coming good times, the lavish celebration prepared for us. There's far more here than meets the eye. The things we see now are here today, gone tomorrow. But the things we can't see now will last forever.
WOW! I came today to see if you left a comment in response to my prayer request last Friday and not only did you respond that you are praying for us, but I see a post in which you questioned if it is worth it and my comment was just an example of how ultimately you believe it is worth it. God is so good and I just can't get over how big He is. He led me to this site almost a month ago and trust me, I would have never thought that I'd be coming back to ask for prayers and looking for hope. But I am so thankful that God led me here and helped me find my way back when I needed it. You are making such an impact in the lives of so many and you all give me hope when I need it. I am thankful that I can come here to read about others who have faced this trial and give me hope on the days that I feel hopeless. Less than a week after finding out about my husband's affair, I can say that I am thankful that it happened. I am watching as my husband's heart is softening and I know that God can turn our pain into something beautiful. I know it will take a lot of work, but today I am hopeful and optimistic. Thank you for being vulnerable and sharing your pain to help others! Please don't ever doubt that it is worth it. God is doing great things through you. You are making a difference.
First to Michelle, it is SO worth it to do the work ahead of you and your husband. It can be done and the rewards are wonder-FULL! And to Justin and Trisha, I'll go beyond saying it's worth it to say you two are doing exactly what we should all be doing: bearing one another's burdens and sharing our testimony. These are the life blood of a vibrant, growing and powerful Christian community. And the world is desperate to see it in action.
Another resounding YES from me! It is wonderful for me as a newlywed to learn from your valuable experience. I really appreciate your honesty. I think that acknowledging our vulnerability as human beings is key to encouraging each other, and not to feel like we have failed and all is lost if we don`t live perfectly (which of course none of us can).
And Justin, I was actually having the exact same "is it worth it" thought the very day you commented on my blog saying you appreciated it! It`s so true that it`s worth it even if we encourage only one person.
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