"You have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body." (1 Cor. 6:20) Committed people live with shallow tent pegs, so to speak. They own things, but nothing owns them. They have come to terms with things that have monetary value & have opted out for things that have eternal value. Denying oneself is not losing individuality, uniqueness, or becoming of no value. Many people through the ages have modeled self-denial as they made significant contributions to humankind. We don't have to count the cost. Jesus did that . . . He has paid the price. He has already determined what it will take to triumph over life's enemies. What it will take is a few strong, quality-minded champions whose commitment is solid as stone!