Do the hard things

For this commandment which I command you today is not too difficult for you, nor is it out of reach. Deuteronomy 30:11

I read a post a while ago that said to “choose your hard.” It had examples like, marriage is hard, divorce is hard, choose your hard. Obesity is hard, being fit is hard, choose your hard. After pondering this for a few days I was trying to motivate myself to do the hard things. Exercise, eat better, skip the desserts, and be committed to doing whatever it will take to reach my goals on this fitness journey.

I wrote mantras in my fitness journal, made daily entries, and was trying to motivate myself to do the hard things. Over and over I would tell myself, “You can do this!” “You’ve got this!” “Pick your hard, take responsibility, and do what you need to do.” “Don’t quit!”

The next morning I was feeling a bit overwhelmed by the journey and was trying to encourage myself in the hard things that were ahead. It was then that I read my bible study and today’s passage led the way.

God is using this situation to draw me closer to Him. If I continue to approach it with the world’s mindset, I am going to completely miss what He has for me. Yes, in my own efforts, it is too hard, too big and I will experience the same results I’ve had in the past which is failure, all because I’m relying on myself. But God is trying to tell me that He is with me and that in Him I will be more than able to conquer this stronghold.

“But the reason that the Lord’s commands are not too difficult for us is because He gives us His Spirit to work in us powerfully and to help us in all He has asked of us. Things get hard when we are trying to do them independently without leaning on and relying on God’s grace. If everything were easy, we would not even need the power of the Holy Spirit to help us. He is our “Helper.” He is in us and with us all the time to help us, to enable us to do what we cannot do.” (Battlefield of The Mind)

After reading this I laughed to myself because God knew my thoughts about trying to motivate myself and be in control and He instantly gave me His word to get me on the right path. God was again right there letting me know that in Him, I will be able to accomplish far more than I could ever do on my own. I don’t have to live in a constant struggle if I learn to lean on Him continually for the strength I need. This isn’t too hard for Him.