Luke 17:33 – Whoever clings to this life will lose it, and whoever loses his life will save it. (NLT)
During a combat sport tournament, holding back so you will not get in range for an attack will almost always get you into trouble, resulting in you getting hit and overwhelmed.  You are too busy trying to protect yourself, you will corner yourself with little ability to counter or fight back.  You are too focused on your current situation.
I know in my days, if I was too focused on the trophy, I would clam up just to survive long enough to get to that trophy.  But when I just went in there and gave it my all, win or lose, at least I gave it my all.  The days I gave it all, I would win and receive a trophy.
The same can be said in our journey with Christ.  If we give Him our all, no matter what may come at us, we will win abundantly in the end.  If we give Him our all through persecution, sacrifice, or just obeying and loving Christ as He loves us, nothing bad can come from this.
If we love our families fully, we are giving of ourselves which will result in love received.  However, if we do not, families tend to split up and everyone loses.  And if we do not give Christ our all, we lose out on so much blessing from Him and do not experience His potential.