“Do the hard thing.” 

What was your reaction the first time you read this statement?  Was it loathe and frustration?  For many of us, it is not something that makes you want to “get to it.”  Or was your reaction one of interest and intrigue?  It causes you to ponder philosophically about what makes something difficult or challenging?  Finally, was your reaction one of determination and challenge?  In your mind, it’s time…time to get it done.

If you said, “Yes,” to any of the three above, you are ready to read this nugget.  Here it is:

“Do the hard thing or the hard thing will do you in.”

My wife says, “Do the hard thing,” often to our family and at work.  I love this phrase and have been mulling over it since the first time I heard her say it.  I came up with the second phrase because it is true.  There are no free passes in getting the results you want.  I believe God can do miracles and divinely intervene in our lives but I don’t want to live my life expecting a miracle in every area.

I believe one principle that God honors is “sowing and reaping.”  “Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.”  Galatians 6:7 (NLT)  If you were to list the most important things in your life today, I bet in each of those areas, there are hard things to be done.  You want to grow in your relationship with your spouse, there are things you can do to honor their love language and needs.  If you want great kids, you need to examine your approach to respect, discipline, relationships and entertainment.  If you want to see fitness results, what are can you change in your diet and workouts to see the goal fulfilled.   If you want impact your employment, what are you doing to bring value to the organization that no one else can do?  If you want to grow in your relationship with God, what are you willing to surrender that you have held onto for so long?  

We live in a fast paced world that demands instant satisfaction.  The hard thing requires time, effort and consistency.  The true results in any of the fore mentioned areas are not “overnight” wonders.  How important is that goal or result to you?  When you determine that, you will determine whether you are ready to do the hard thing…I believe you are!