But it’s hard…
Agh! I think that is the weakest excuse in the book! It’s also the most common excuse I hear, and the one that drives me the craziest!
Of course it’s hard!
Of course living a life for God is hard. Of course trying to loose weight is hard. Of course writing a book is hard. Of course raising your children is hard. Of course being in ministry is hard. Of course being a helpmate to your spouse is hard! Of course being a good employee is hard! Of course getting out of debt is hard! Of course waiting for God’s best is hard! Of course working on getting healed from the past is hard! Of course working on your marriage is hard! Of course forgiveness is hard! Of course leading others is hard….
WhoEVER told you it was easy? WhoEVER told you pain was not involved? WhoEVER told you doing what is best, right, good, and healthy would be uncomplicated, undemanding, unchallenging, effortless, painless, or trouble-free?
Because whoever that was LIED!
I’ve never done anything in my life that was easy… everything came with a CHALLENGE!
Life is one BIG, freakin’, stinkin’, HUGE wall… our goals, our dreams, our successes, our hopes are all on the other side of that wall. We have to pray, push, work, wait, knockdown, declare, fail, and adjust in order to end up on the other side of that wall – and above all we don’t QUIT!
Jesus persevered in spite of the most horrendous odds. He wasn’t persevering for the success of a business, marriage, ministry, wealth or health… He wasn’t persevering for the success of having a better life… He was pushing forward to make it to the top of a hill to be placed on a cross, and to be killed for our sake!
People! What are we complaining about?! Who are we to give up when things get hard? Our outcome surely isn’t death! So, really, is it that hard to keep persevering, and pushing forward when the outcome is surely blessings and abundant life!
Agh! Keep running…
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day —and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing. 2 Tim. 4:7-8
Agh! Keep enduring…
We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love. Romans 5:3-5
Agh! Keep living for more….
The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. John 10:10
One last thing and then I will be quiet… Remember, it’s just not about you, there’s a bigger picture here!