Do Hard Things

i am reading this book right now called "Do Hard Things". it is written by two teen-aged brothers Alex and Brett Harris (check out the book here) the whole book is based on rebelling against the low expectations of teenagers. i like that. most people assume that because teenagers are younger than them, they are not capable of accomplishing things. i say B.S.

but i think about the title. "Do Hard Things". i think about the culture we live in and realize that we just plain and simple do NOT like to do hard things. there is always the easy way. there is always the way that is more comfortable so that we do not feel awkward or embarrassed. we say we are Christian, yet we take the easy road. but Jesus makes it clear to is that the road of Christianity is hard, the road is narrow into heaven, so what gives us the right to take the easy way?

why do we need to do the hard things?

HARD THINGS ARE IN THE BIBLE

• all of God's commands in the Bible are hard. but we always tend to say that God's commands are not "easy" don't we? both of these statements are completely true. but why cant we ever just come out and say that God's commands are hard? when Jesus commands us to love our enemies, why cant we just call it like it is?
• 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.
• its always easy to use the cliche "on fire for God". but if we are truly on fire for God shouldn't it be easy to read our Bibles everyday? to say no to sin? to share the Gospel with others?
• when we think like this we are missing out on something huge that God wants to teach us about personal growth

DOING HARD THINGS IS THE WAY WE GROW

• in James 1:2 we are told to consider it "pure joy" when we are faced with challenges, trials, and obstacles because they will test our faith and make us stronger. really think about that.
• the God who created you and loves you cares about your growth in Him - the way he designed you to grow is through the challenges he places i front of you
• when you do hard things you grow in character and competence. much like if you were to go to the gym and to work out. you will grow stronger.
• IN ORDER TO DO THESE HARD THINGS WE NEED TO GET OVER THE IDEA THAT GOD'S LOVE MEANS HE WANTS US TO GO THROUGH LIFE WITH AS LITTLE EFFORT OR DISCOMFORT AS POSSIBLE.

A RADICAL ARGUMENT

• this is hard. hence the title of this section. but its not just saying that hard things happen and that can benefit from them. it is not even saying you have the ability to do the hard things. its telling you that you SHOULD do hard things because it is one of the best ways to experience growth.
• can you think of period of growth in your life (as a Christian, student, athlete, musician, whatever) that didn't involve effort and challenges to overcome and to work through discomfort? the truth is all growth involves discomfort in some way.

these are not new ideas. but i do want this generation to rediscover what has always been true...in order to grow we must do hard things. we must challenge and stretch ourselves, we must step out-side our boxes and comfort zones and do something difficult.

Jesus calls us to do it. its the only way we can grow and will be able to grow for the rest of our lives.

Random Fact: 2% of Earth's people have red hair.