Boundless Article: Do Hard Things
Our latest article published in Focus on the Family’s Boundless Webzine.
But has anyone ever told you that God commands you to do hard things?
For some reason that sounds more extreme, doesn’t it? Being “on fire” or “sold out” for God sound like positive emotional states where nothing can really get to you. Even serving God with “total abandon” doesn’t make us feel uncomfortable as long as we leave it general and vague.
But “do hard things” sounds so — well, hard.
We don’t like hard things in our society, especially as young people growing up in a culture of adultescence. We avoid hard things as much as possible. Unfortunately (or should we say, fortunately), there’s no avoiding them in the Bible.
Of course, our tendency is to say that God’s commands aren’t “easy” or that it’s only by His grace that we can obey any of them — and both of those statements are 100 percent true — but why can’t we ever come out and say that God’s commands are hard? When Christ commands us to love our enemies, why can’t we just call it what it is?
Everything God commands is hard. Repenting is hard. Forgiving is hard. Turning the other cheek is hard. Overcoming sin in our lives is hard. Honoring our parents is hard. Sharing the gospel is hard. Reading our Bibles is hard. We could go on.
Part of our hesitation to call things hard can be that we’re afraid to come across as unspiritual. After all, if we’re truly “on fire” for Jesus, shouldn’t it be easy for us to read our Bibles every day, say no to sin, and share the gospel with others?
But when we think that way we’re missing something huge that God wants to teach us about personal growth and His plan for our lives. [Read More...]
April 15th, 2008 at 7:42 pm
This is absolutely true. As someone who has not been long out of the teen years, I can say it is a hard thing to be a good example to my younger siblings. I want them to see that what I do for them is not easy, but well worth it.
I have a hard time respecting my parents, keeping my temper in check, loving my siblings, etc. But that is where doing hard things starts, right here at home. Sometimes I feel like I haven’t accomplished much, but then I think about Jesus life, and how he didn’t start his “real” ministry until he was 30! So what was he doing before that? I think he was at home, doing hard things, just like I am.
What a comfort, hey?
So thanks guys, for a great article. I was truly encouraged.
~Johanna~
April 15th, 2008 at 7:45 pm
Amen. God’s commands are HARD, but it’s silly to pretend that they’re not…
I mean, look at the minimum standard of Christian love - “love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you” (Luke 6:27 - 28). That’s how we’re supposed to treat the people who deserve absolutely nothing from us; how much more must Christians obey the command to “love one another” (John 13:34)!
Then there’s Hebrews 12:4, “You have not yet resisted to the point of shedding blood in your striving against sin”. You mean that’s the least acceptable output of energy? The author of Hebrews sounds like a sports coach here… And his point is clear: Your best hasn’t been enough! You haven’t tried hard enough, sweat enough, or bled enough!
Strangely enough, it’s when I read these verses and realize just how hard they actually are that I can fully appreciate the promises in Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me” and 2 Corinthians 12:9, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness”.
And when I fail, I can say, “Do not rejoice over me, my enemy. Though I fall I will rise; though I dwell in darkness, the Lord is a light for me.” (Micah 7:8)
April 15th, 2008 at 7:53 pm
You’ve heard of the story of a man and Jesus walking on the beach and the man looks back and sees only one set of footprints during the hard times of his life. And he asks Jesus why He left him during those times and Jesus tells him that’s when he carried him through. That is HORRIBLE! If we think we can do it on our own during even the good times in our life we have problems! Jesus is always carrying us through life, Good or Bad!
April 15th, 2008 at 9:12 pm
Your right, we do hesitate to say that the bible commands us to ”do hard things”. I guess we don’t want to sound lazy or reveal that were struggling with sin. God calls us to be humble, and one way we can show humility is to admit that God’s commands are hard and that we are struggling with sin. If God’s commands were easy, Christianity wouldn’t be so radical.
April 15th, 2008 at 10:32 pm
Great Article!
Was taken back when mom and I went to Barnes and Noble today to pick up some journals for a coop class. Mom said, “Let’s go see if they have the Harris boy’s book out.” And they did!!
We bought two more copies! To give to friends of course.
Keep doing HARD THINGS!
April 16th, 2008 at 1:18 am
Good point about Jesus’s early life, Johanna. That is an encouragement.
It is good to get a reminder that Christianity is full of hard things, so I should get used to them!
I read something in the Bible this morning about how someone tapped into God is like a tree planted next to a stream; a never-ending supply of life and all that.
That would come in handy when you’re going through a drought- e.g. doing hard things. (We are literally in a drought, so if anyone wants to pray for rain in Australia and any other drought-stricken countries, go for it!)
April 16th, 2008 at 4:35 am
Thanks for writing this. It really encouraged me to, as Elizabeth George wrote, “keep on keeping on”. I find that I especially hate pain and want to avoid suffering or any inconvenience as much as possible. I have to struggle against that every day and I am glad not to be struggling alone.
April 16th, 2008 at 6:21 am
Thank you so much for writing this. I often feel that the walk of faith is hard but feel as if i am the only one who feels that way. Thank you for showing that it is hard but that is good it means that we are growing in the trials. It was very encouraging. I am glad that i am not alone in this.
April 16th, 2008 at 9:16 am
Great article! As a young youth pastor(21yrs.), this is so true with not only my students, but even myself. Christianity can be proclaimed as easy, as long as we are “on fire” for God. But going to school the next day tells us otherwise! God is calling us to do hard things. I mean even Paul who wrote most of the New Testament shared about all the persecutions he had to go through and the daily struggle he had to follow Jesus. But in the end, it was about making the hard choices….. every day… day in, day out… Thanks so much for your faithfulness and your example to so many. I hope I could meet you too some day. Maybe we will end up doing ministry side by side…lol. Well I am praying for you guys!
April 16th, 2008 at 2:07 pm
Wow this is really cool!
April 16th, 2008 at 2:26 pm
Alex I would check my email but the cumputer is not allowing me to get on right now.It is quite depressing.I am suposed to be recieving some very important emails this week.So saddend right now.I think I might get a new email adress when I do I will send it to you.
So long.Your Sister In Christ,Hannah
April 16th, 2008 at 5:01 pm
A+ ! A really great article with a really great message.
April 16th, 2008 at 5:16 pm
I just received the book; I have been devouring it for several hours, and it is very wonderful so far.
Thank you so much!
April 16th, 2008 at 6:49 pm
I was hoping to get to the bookstore today to see your book and the Prince Caspian movie production guide. (How’s that for variety? :P) However, the Denver area is getting snow after 80 degrees yesterday… and I didn’t make it to the bookstore. :’( Oh, well, hopefully I’ll get to read the book soon.
April 16th, 2008 at 6:59 pm
I got the book today! I also read and finished it… not non-stop though:)
Wow! It is truly amazing. I can see God’s handiwork throughout. What a blessing to be used by God in such a powerful and meaningful way.
The book is a great blessing to me. My head is filled with what I just read and thoughts on how I can use is it in large and small ways. It is truly a blessing.
May God Bless both of you!!!
April 17th, 2008 at 6:37 am
Sweet pic at the top of this post! Do you have that pic on a t-shirt? Preferably Polo?
April 17th, 2008 at 10:19 am
I was reading the book, but my mom loned it to a coworker who has a teenage son and my brother and dad have the other copies. But the first 5 chapters were great!
Excellent article! I wish I had your clarity of thought(suggestions on how to develope it?) Keep up the great work. Sorry you won’t be at NA, but it seems God has better things for you guy.
April 22nd, 2008 at 8:31 pm
Hello Alex and Brett! I just wanted to thank both of you for all your hard work you guys are doing. It is making a difference! When reading your book I find myself daily challenging myself to rethink the idea and “Do Hard Things”. I know I am surely blessed to have you guys in my life. I am looking forward to attending your Portland conference! God Bless!
April 23rd, 2008 at 3:36 pm
Amen. Who ever said being a Christian was easy? We worship the one true God who sacrificed His only son, so what does one think He is going to do to us? God expected his true son to die, yet expects us, his adopted sons and daughters to live. Thanks be to God for His grace.
April 24th, 2008 at 10:03 pm
Hey, God bless you guys! Haven’t read your book (yet) but I just discovered this site and have been surfing it. It’s really inspiring what you two are doing, keep it up!
October 9th, 2009 at 12:19 pm
THE HARRIS TWINS ARE SOOOOOOOOO HOTTTTT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!