Following Jesus Ruined My Life (And That’s the Best Thing That Ever Happened to Me)

That title might sound shocking. But let me explain.

When I say “Following Jesus ruined my life,” I mean it ruined the life I had built for myself—the life that was fueled by pride, self-sufficiency, human wisdom, and ambition. The life where I sat on the throne. The life where I had the final say.

Jesus didn’t just come to fix me. He came to crucify the old me. And that’s exactly what He did.

You Can’t Lay Claim to What Jesus Bought

We love to say that we belong to Jesus. We wear the t-shirts, sing the songs, post the quotes. But far too many women still live as if their lives are their own.

We make plans without Him.

We speak as if our intelligence is self-made.

We boast in our accomplishments as if we achieved them without grace.

But the truth is sobering:

“You are not your own, for you were bought at a price. Therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's.”
—1 Corinthians 6:19–20

If you belong to Jesus, then everything belongs to Him: your time, your body, your words, your social media posts, your dreams, your wisdom, your motherhood, your marriage, your intellect, your gifting, your influence.

It’s no longer about your life.

It’s about His life in you.

The Death of My Self-Made Wisdom

Before Christ, I loved to talk about what I knew. I prided myself in being well-read, articulate, and insightful. I didn’t realize that I was boasting in my flesh.

But following Jesus ruined that.

Now I know: everything I thought I "discovered" has been given to me by the Holy Spirit. The only reason I understand Scripture, or have insight into truth, is because the Lord graciously opened my eyes.

“For who makes you differ from another? And what do you have that you did not receive? Now if you did indeed receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it?”
—1 Corinthians 4:7

I can’t take credit anymore. He ruined my ability to glory in my own intellect. And I praise Him for it.

The Death of My Ambition

I used to think climbing higher—whether in influence, ministry, or success—was a good goal. I had dreams and blueprints and timelines. I thought my life was a ladder and I needed to keep climbing.

But Jesus ruined that too.

He showed me that in His Kingdom, the way up is down.

Now I can’t step over people to get what I want. I can’t manipulate outcomes to protect my image. I can’t hustle and perform for applause. My life is not my project to build.

“Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself.”
—Philippians 2:3

In Christ, I’ve learned to lay down my ladder and pick up a towel.

A Life Laid Down

Following Jesus ruined my ability to live for myself. And that’s exactly what He came to do.

He said:

“If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.”
—Matthew 16:24

That’s not a verse we put on mugs very often. But it’s the truth that sets us free.

When you follow Jesus, you die. Not physically (yet), but spiritually, inwardly, daily.

You die to your right to be praised.

You die to your craving for control.

You die to your need to be understood, admired, or even comfortable.

And in that death, you finally find life.

Sisters, Stop Laying Claim to What’s Been Crucified

You can’t say you’ve surrendered your life to Jesus and still insist on calling the shots.

You can’t boast in your talents and experiences while claiming to follow the One who emptied Himself.

You can’t disciple others while secretly glorifying yourself.

You can’t belong to Christ and still belong to the world.

You have been bought—not with silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Jesus. Stop reaching for the reins of a life that no longer belongs to you.

He Ruined My Life—So He Could Give Me His

What a mercy it is that He didn’t let me keep living for myself.

What a grace it is that He ruined the old life I was trying to preserve.

Because the life I’ve gained in Him is richer, deeper, freer, and far more holy than anything I could’ve built on my own.

So yes—following Jesus ruined my life.

And that was the best thing that ever happened to me.

- Jacqueline, the Unimportant Homemaker