When Obedience Costs You Everything: Trusting God Through Job Loss, Grief & Starting Over

When It Feels Like Everything’s Falling Apart

Sometimes saying “yes” to God doesn’t come with applause—it comes with pruning.

If you’ve ever said yes to a step of faith only to find yourself broke, grieving, or completely unsure if you heard God right… we’ve been there.

Our season of obedience looked like:

- Losing our job overnight.

- Living in a retirement community.

- Working humbling jobs that felt like a step backwards.

- Grieving a miscarriage when we were already barely holding on.

- Wondering if we totally missed it—if God was even in this.

It wasn’t a highlight reel. It was a hidden season.

And yet… God used every detour. He was preparing us in private for what He would multiply in public.

God Often Leads Through the Hidden and Humbling

We wanted breakthrough. What we got was more like a backtrack—at least that’s how it felt.

Jonathan was selling timeshares, even though he once owned a huge real estate portfolio. Melissa was coaching CrossFit and working at a church, scraping by on small paychecks. We were driving an hour each way in traffic just to make ends meet.

And there we were, living in Melissa’s dad’s retirement condo while he was living in another country. Surrounded by retired folks, praying for something to change, and holding onto every glimmer of hope we could find.

Maybe you’re there now. Maybe your story doesn’t look how you thought it would. Maybe it feels more like survival than purpose.

But God often does His deepest work in the most humbling places.

When You Lose More Than You Thought You Could Bear

Just when we thought things couldn’t feel heavier—we got pregnant.

It felt like a turning point. Hope again. But weeks later, we found out there was no heartbeat.

The miscarriage crushed us. And yet, even in grief, God was near.

If you’ve ever lost something precious in the middle of an already hard season, we want you to know:

You’re not alone. Your grief matters. And your story isn’t over.

Obedience Can Look Like Risk, Rejection, and… Redirection

After a year of that hard season, doors began to open—but not the ones we expected.

We felt a nudge to move to the Florida Keys. It didn’t make logical sense. But God’s peace was there. We stepped out. Again.

We moved. Opened a gym. Had our first baby. And God began to build something beautiful out of what once felt broken.

Not because we figured it all out. But because we kept saying yes—even when it cost us.

What to Do When Obedience Feels Like It’s Breaking You

If you're in a season where you're doing everything right but it’s still not working out, here’s what we’ve learned:

1. Don’t confuse silence for absence

Just because you don’t see movement doesn’t mean God isn’t working. Often, He’s building the foundation.

2. Obedience is rarely the easy road—but it’s the most fruitful

There’s a reason Jesus talked about pruning. Something has to be cut back to make room for more. Your preparation season is imperative.

3. Do it afraid

You don’t need to feel bold to obey. We didn’t. We were scared. But we still said yes. And God met us in the stretch.

Hear the Full Story on Mandate to Multiply

Episode 2 of Mandate to Multiply: When Obedience Costs You Everything: Trusting God Through Job Loss, Moves & Starting Over

You’ll hear:

- The unexpected jobs we had to take just to make ends meet.

- The heartbreak of losing a baby in the middle of already hard times.

- The decision that felt insane but led to a flourishing gym and community.

- How obedience—though costly—led to the life we live now.

If you're wondering if obedience is still worth it, we made this episode for you.

Because God sees the sacrifice. He honors the stretch. And He is always faithful to bring beauty out of ashes.

You’re not behind. You’re being positioned.

You’re not forgotten. You’re being formed.

And the “yes” you say now? It might just unlock a future you never imagined.

Share this episode with someone in a hidden season who needs encouragement today.

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