Why We Have to Do Hard Things {Guest Post}

I like things in life to remain at one setting: easy. I like slow mornings with multiple cups of coffee. I like to have a fuzzy blanket and a couch on standby at all times. I like Netflix binges, bubble baths that last for hours, and multiple days off in a row. I am addicted to the idea of "easy".



Don't get me wrong; when there's something that I am passionate about, I work hard and put time into it. But any time that something becomes difficult, my mind is a carousel of grumbling and complaining. I grab on to a sense of entitlement that tells me that life could be easier if I were more like ___, if I had more money, if I didn't have to deal with _____.




This also trickles into things like my new year's goals and resolutions. Even though I have big plans and big dreams, if something requires real discipline or will be extremely difficult, I make excuses as to why it's okay for me to avoid that part of the process.



Deep down in my heart, I knew that this was not a godly mindset, but I also don't think I had ever realized exactly what I was doing. I knew I didn't like hard things, but I didn't realize how tirelessly I was avoiding anything that would be a difficult road to walk on.

But Then, God Made Sure I Noticed

Being a part of the blog world means having the privilege of seeing hundreds of blog post titles per week. Sometimes it can be tedious, but sometimes it is a blessing.



This week has definitely fallen into the "blessing" category. Why? Because in the past three days, I have come across 3-4 blog posts all about how if we want to see any real and good change in our lives, we have to do hard things- things that challenge us. Then, I also heard the same message on the radio as I was driving to work!



Yes, God. Thanks... I get it.



God has a way of bringing things to us over and over and over again when he wants to get our attention. And this week, he was definitely after mine.



God wants us to work towards the great things in life: freedom from sin, freedom from shame, fear, and anxiety. He wants us to be free from addiction and strongholds and anything that keeps us from living for him and having a deeper relationship with him. God created us to be free.



But freedom doesn't come easily. Freedom requires discipline. Freedom requires walking a long road. Freedom requires perseverance.



So, as an example, one of my main goals for this year is to lose weight- a lot of weight. My overall goal is 100 pounds, but it'll take me longer than a year to lose that much. This will be one of the biggest challenges in my life because I am totally addicted to food. I need to find freedom from my food addiction. I need to take care of the body God has given me.



But in order to find freedom, I have to walk an extremely long, difficult road. I cannot make excuses for myself or decide to quit when things aren't easy. I cannot keep putting this goal off. Doing so would be ungodly and would only leave me in a place of frustration.

What About You?

Do you avoid difficult situations and tasks like the plague? Do you subconsciously live as though everything in life should be easy? Do you grumble and complain when life becomes more challenging? I feel your pain, I really do. But I challenge you to see things through the lens God has been showing me lately.

Anything that brings lasting and valuable change requires a challenge. Anything that brings reward is also going to demand discipline and perseverance. This life will not be one big cake-walk. But it can be a life of beauty, freedom, and hope if we are willing to do hard things when God calls us to do so.



XO,

Kristin

Do you avoid making needed change because you hate the idea of anything difficult? How can you shift your mindset and start working towards doing hard things? Comment below.

You can follow Kristin on: 

Pinterest

Instagram

Facebook

Twitter

And be sure to check out her new, free 3-day devotional all about how to become a more encouraging (and encouraged) person.

DISCLOSURE: In order for me to support my blogging habit, I may receive monetary compensation or other types of remuneration for my endorsement, recommendation, testimonial and/or link to any products or services from this blog. You may see a full disclosure by clicking on my "About" page. I will only promote products that I use, enjoy, or take a shine to. All opinions and reviews are my own and are not influenced by any compensation I may receive.