Why We Have to Do Hard Things {Guest Post} | The Speckled Goat: Why We Have to Do Hard Things {Guest Post}

1.18.2017

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.



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9 comments :

  1. I can relate to this so much! I've found that it's impossible for me to discipline myself to reach my goals unless I have a thorough understanding of why that goal will help me to enjoy my life more. I just listened to a great podcast on this--look up the podcast Note to Self, and listen to the New Year's resolutions episode with Gretchen Rubin. It'll help you to figure out how you can motivate yourself to reach your goals and persevere through setbacks based on your inner motivation!

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    1. Thank you for that suggestion, Robin! I need to look that up!

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  2. What a wonderful post! I think this is why self-control is the most ignored part of the fruit of the Spirit, because it's so hard! But right there, God calls us to do something hard. The great thing, though, is that He gives us grace upon grace to walk through the difficulties. :)

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    1. So very true, Abbey! When He calls us to do hard things, He doesn't expect us to do it alone, or without grace!

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  3. So much truth to this... sometimes it's not always rainbows and cherries but necessary for our individual development!!

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  4. Oh, I so relate to this! And, coincidentally enough, I've actually lost 100 pounds myself, so I have no doubt that you can do it (because if this girl who hated walking, the taste of water, and loved everything fried can do it, anybody can!). You are so right, though. Freedom was my ultimate goal (that I didn't enough know for most of that journey!), but it definitely took discipline and perseverance! I'm not working on losing weight anymore, but there are plenty of other areas in my life where I need to apply this. You've got this.

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    1. Thank you, Becky! I really appreciate you sharing that. It is extremely encouraging! And you've got this too, in whatever area it needs to apply :)

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  5. Praying God gives you the strength to persevere towards your goal, Kristin.

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