453. When Following Jesus Costs You Something Real | Before You Quit #9
The Rob Skinner Podcast: Helping You Make This Life Count
Release Date: 09/28/2026
459. You're Growing More Than You Think | Before You Quit, Day 13
The Rob Skinner Podcast: Helping You Make This Life Count
You're Growing More Than You Think | Before You Quit, Day 13 Have you ever wondered why you're not further along in your relationship with God? You've been a Christian for years. You know what the Bible teaches. You've set spiritual goals. You've tried to change. But you're still struggling with some of the same weaknesses, habits, and temptations. And you start asking yourself: “Why am I not growing as I should?” In Day 13 of Before You Quit: Hope for the Christian Who Feels Done, Rob Skinner addresses the discouragement that comes when our spiritual growth doesn't match our expectations....
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458. Are You Faking Your Faith? It's Time to Take Off the Mask | Before You Quit #12
The Rob Skinner Podcast: Helping You Make This Life Count
Are You Faking Your Faith? It's Time to Take Off the Mask | Before You Quit #12 Have you ever looked like a strong Christian on the outside while feeling spiritually empty on the inside? You still attend church. You smile. You give hugs. You say the right things. People may even look up to you as a mature, faithful disciple. But deep down, something has changed. Your prayers have become inconsistent. You've stopped spending time in God's Word. You're struggling with sin, carrying guilt, or feeling ashamed of what's happening in your life. And instead of telling someone, you keep pretending...
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457. Feeling Lonely at Church? Don’t Walk Away Yet | Before You Quit #11
The Rob Skinner Podcast: Helping You Make This Life Count
Feeling Lonely at Church? Don’t Walk Away Yet | Before You Quit #11 Have you ever stood in a crowded church and felt completely alone? Everyone else seems to have their people. Their conversations. Their plans. Their friend group. Meanwhile, you're standing there wondering: “Does anyone even see me?” In Day 11 of Before You Quit: Hope for the Christian Who Feels Done, Rob Skinner addresses one of the biggest reasons people quietly consider walking away from church: Loneliness and isolation. Last summer, Rob and Pam met a young woman who had recently moved to Boston and joined the church....
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456. Retirement, Faith, and 2,200 Miles: Phil and Robbyn's Appalachian Trail Adventure
The Rob Skinner Podcast: Helping You Make This Life Count
Retirement, Faith, and 2,200 Miles: Phil and Robbyn's Appalachian Trail Adventure What would you do if you retired and suddenly had the freedom to pursue a really big dream? Most people picture retirement as a time to slow down, relax, and take it easy. Not Phil and Robbyn Paradis. After more than four decades of following Jesus, Phil retired from his career in civil engineering and decided to take on one of America's most demanding hiking adventures: the nearly 2,200-mile Appalachian Trail. There was just one problem. He had never backpacked before. And he was already dealing with serious...
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455. When God Doesn’t Come Through the Way You Hoped | Before You Quit #10
The Rob Skinner Podcast: Helping You Make This Life Count
When God Doesn’t Come Through the Way You Hoped | Before You Quit #10 What do you do when you've prayed for something good—and God doesn't come through the way you hoped? In Day 10 of Before You Quit: Hope for the Christian Who Feels Done, Rob Skinner tackles one of the most painful sources of spiritual discouragement: Disappointment with God. When COVID hit, Rob's church in Tucson was averaging around 200 people on Sundays. Like churches around the world, they temporarily moved online. When they finally gathered again, a little more than 100 people remained. Rob wondered: Where did...
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454. You’ve Got One Job: Stay Connected to Jesus
The Rob Skinner Podcast: Helping You Make This Life Count
You’ve Got One Job: Stay Connected to Jesus There are a thousand things competing for your attention every day. Your career. Your marriage. Your kids. Your health. Your finances. Your goals. Your phone. Even your ministry. But according to Jesus, there's one thing you absolutely cannot neglect: Your connection with him. In John 15, Jesus gives one of the simplest and most powerful pictures of the Christian life: “I am the vine; you are the branches.” In this episode of the Rob Skinner Podcast, Rob explores why successful people can be especially vulnerable to spiritual self-reliance, why...
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453. When Following Jesus Costs You Something Real | Before You Quit #9
The Rob Skinner Podcast: Helping You Make This Life Count
When Following Jesus Costs You Something Real | Before You Quit #9 What happens when following Jesus costs you something—or someone—you genuinely love? In Day 9 of Before You Quit: Hope for the Christian Who Feels Done, Rob Skinner talks about a part of Christianity that can be painful to accept: Obedience can cost you something real. When Rob became a Christian during his junior year of college, one of the first people he wanted to tell was his best friend from high school. This was someone Rob could completely be himself around. They had taken road trips together. Made memories...
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452. God Loves You—But Do You Believe It? Is Your “Truster” Broken?
The Rob Skinner Podcast: Helping You Make This Life Count
God Loves You—But Do You Believe It? Is Your “Truster” Broken? What if one of the biggest problems in your relationship with God isn't that God doesn't love you—but that you have trouble believing that he does? Years ago, two young children in Rob Skinner's extended family were adopted from Korea. Their new parents gave them a loving home, security, opportunities and a family that poured love into them. But the children struggled. There was anger. Mistrust. Rejection. As a young man watching from the outside, Rob couldn't understand it. Why couldn't they see how much they were loved?...
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451. Following Jesus Feels Too Hard? Don’t Quit Yet | Before You Quit #8
The Rob Skinner Podcast: Helping You Make This Life Count
Following Jesus Feels Too Hard? Don’t Quit Yet | Before You Quit #8 What if one of the reasons you're thinking about quitting Christianity is something you rarely say out loud? “It's just too hard.” In Day 8 of Before You Quit: Hope for the Christian Who Feels Done, Rob Skinner begins Week Two of the book: Why People Quit and Don't Say It Out Loud. People rarely walk away from their faith in one sudden moment. A disappointment here. A conflict there. An unanswered prayer. A broken relationship. Little by little, discouragement accumulates until someone quietly begins drifting away. And...
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450. Stop Saying “Not Yet”: It’s Not Too Late to Change
The Rob Skinner Podcast: Helping You Make This Life Count
Stop Saying “Not Yet”: It’s Not Too Late to Change What have you gotten so used to that you don't even see it anymore? From 2004 to 2012, Rob Skinner worked as a realtor while planting a church in Ashland, Oregon. Whenever someone bought a fixer-upper, he gave them one piece of advice: Fix the problems right away. Why? Because human beings have an incredible ability to get used to almost anything. The cracked tile that drives you crazy when you first move in eventually becomes your cracked tile. You stop noticing it. Rob shares an unforgettable illustration from John Kotter and Dan...
info_outlineWhen Following Jesus Costs You Something Real | Before You Quit #9
What happens when following Jesus costs you something—or someone—you genuinely love?
In Day 9 of Before You Quit: Hope for the Christian Who Feels Done, Rob Skinner talks about a part of Christianity that can be painful to accept:
Obedience can cost you something real.
When Rob became a Christian during his junior year of college, one of the first people he wanted to tell was his best friend from high school.
This was someone Rob could completely be himself around.
They had taken road trips together.
Made memories together.
Enjoyed their college years together.
Rob expected his friend to understand why his newfound faith meant so much to him.
Instead, something changed almost immediately.
His friend's body language changed.
A relationship that had always felt completely comfortable suddenly became awkward.
And eventually, the friendship was effectively over.
Rob was shocked.
He had expected the people closest to him to see what he saw in the gospel.
Instead, he experienced firsthand Jesus' warning:
“You will be hated by everyone because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.” — Matthew 10:22
Jesus also said:
“Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword.” — Matthew 10:34
Christianity in Concept vs. Christianity in Reality
Christianity in concept can sound awesome and amazing.
Christianity in reality can be painful and costly.
Following Jesus can sometimes cost you:
Friends.
Opportunities.
Invitations.
Promotions.
Your reputation.
Comfort.
Parts of the life you once knew.
And when that happens, it's easy to start looking backward.
You may begin wondering:
“Was my life better before?”
“Is something wrong with me?”
“Is something wrong with my church?”
“Is something wrong with my faith?”
But sometimes people's reaction to your faith is less about what they think of you and more about what they think of Jesus.
Your new faith, standards and worldview may make people uncomfortable.
They may feel judged.
They may feel replaced by your Christian friends.
They may feel neglected by your new priorities and schedule.
Following Jesus can change relationships.
And that can hurt.
Jesus Never Hid the Cost
Jesus said:
“Those of you who do not give up everything you have cannot be my disciples.” — Luke 14:33
Sacrifice isn't an optional part of Christianity.
And it isn't partial.
Jesus' call touches everything we consider valuable:
Our lives.
Our families.
Our friendships.
Our money.
Our time.
Our habits.
Our behavior.
Our possessions.
So if you're considering walking away from Jesus because following him has cost you something, slow down before you make that decision.
Ask yourself:
What am I really giving up if I walk away?
Then turn your attention back to Jesus.
Paul writes:
“Though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.” — 2 Corinthians 8:9
Jesus understands sacrifice.
He gave up wealth.
Relationships.
Honor.
Prestige.
Comfort.
And ultimately, his life.
He gave everything to win your heart.
So when obedience feels expensive, remember what Jesus has already given you—and what he continues to give.
Before you quit because the cost feels too high, look again at Jesus.
He is worth the cost.
This is Day 9 of Rob Skinner's Before You Quit series, based on his new book, Before You Quit: Hope for the Christian Who Feels Done.
If you know someone who's discouraged because following Jesus has cost them friendships, relationships, opportunities or comfort, send them this episode.
Rob's goal is to inspire you to live a no-regrets life, make this life count, and multiply disciples, leaders, and churches.