What if God told you there was an indescribable amount of joy available to you, but it would require you going through the thing you least wanted to go through? Would you still do it?
What if he told you it would require two years to obtain? What about ten? What about four decades?
What is the limit of what you are willing to endure to receive what God promises you? Because, in fact, he has promised you unlimited joy if you will but set aside any limits you place on what he is able to do and how he needs to do it.
God requires the sacrifice of all things. He requires all of our heart, might, mind and strength. There is no discount available.
There is an oft-repeated story in the New Testament that is typically used to illustrate how relative effort is more important than absolute contribution:
41 And Jesus sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much.
42 And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing.
43 And he called unto him his disciples, and saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury:
44 For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living. (Mark 12)
What is at least equally important is how this parable shows that everyone is required to give all they have. Those who follow the gospel path unabashedly describe as their goal being joint-heirs with Christ. In other words, they make claim on everything God has. Fewer believers realize that the price for everything he has is everything you have:
37 He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.
38 And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me.
39 He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it. (Matthew 10)
28 For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it?
29 Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him,
30 Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish.
31 Or what king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand?
32 Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sendeth an ambassage, and desireth conditions of peace.
33 So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple. (Luke 14)
Are you willing to do anything God asks you? Or do you arbitrarily limit what he can give you through an unwillingness to travel certain paths to obtain it?