Being a Christian Isn’t Easy

Have you ever felt like it’s hard to do the right thing this day and time? I have great news, you CAN stand firm and strong in the faith no matter what is going on around you! You aren’t alone in your struggles.

I know too many people who claim to be Christians but mock those who are doers and not just sayers of the Word. I know “Christians” who mock other Christians who live to a higher standard instead of blindly following the crowd of unbelievers. So many “Christians” today convince themselves that the things in the Bible don’t apply to us. They believe they are exempt and can get away with what they want. I know this because I used to be one!

I lived how I wanted to on the weekends and put on a “Christian” front on Sundays at church. I knew the Word and could talk the talk easily but I didn’t live it out. I thought it was impossible to live a holy life in this day and age. I made up all kinds of excuses for doing what I knew was wrong. Does that sound familiar? Don’t act as you’ve never been there before. None of us are perfect.

I’m not going to sugar coat it for you, the Bible is crystal clear. You’re either for God or against Him. If you aren’t serving Him, you’re serving the enemy. I have come a long way from a few years of rebellion. I was so caught up in myself that I was completely blind to the truth. It’s painful to remember where I’ve been and what I have come from. But I hope sharing with you how I overcome will give you hope in your life to overcome also.

I wasn’t open to God’s overwhelming victory I could experience if I had obeyed. Instead, I chose darkness. I didn’t want to do anything that was hard. Choosing to obey was hard. I felt like a mindless puppet if I did God’s will. What I didn’t realize was that when I wasn’t doing God’s will, I was a mindless puppet.

I thought doing what I wanted would make life more enjoyable. It didn’t. It was like hoping to get my thirst quenched in the middle of the hot Sahara desert with a dry, empty water bottle. Life without God is hopeless, miserable, dissatisfying, lonely, and empty. It doesn’t matter what you do to fill that void because nothing will satisfy as Jesus can.

I believed that life would be boring and dull if I obeyed God and lived a “miss goody two shoe” life. Well, you know what, that was stupid thinking. I was worried more about what people thought of me. I also wanted to do things that gratified myself.

Don’t believe the hype. Being a “rebel” only leaves you in a world of hurt and leaves you feeling hopeless and unhappy. Sadly, I’ve discovered that most people don’t follow the Lord if you take a look at the world around you. So be a rebel with me and walk the narrow path that most don’t have enough guts to take!

We can overcome rebellion and the enemies lies.

It has taken a lot of work and renewing my mind to get to a place a fully surrendering my life to God. I’m not going to lie, it’s not easy to go against my sinful nature and follow God. But it gets easier the more I become in tune with Him. Every step of obedience I take gets easier and it’s so worth it. Don’t allow excuses and the enemies lies to distract you from overwhelmingly conquering the real enemy.

Whatever excuse you’re using today to go against God, remember that life is short. This short time on earth determines our eternal future. Don’t waste it and lose out on eternity in heaven. It’s not worth it. It’s not even worth it on earth because you still feel empty.

Remember:

• You’re never too far from forgiveness.
• You can do all things through Christ who strengthens you.
• You can overcome temptation.
• God will always provide a way out when temptation comes.
• You can live a blessed life full of joy and peace.
• Heaven is closer than you think.

But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us. Romans 8:37

The verse above has become my favorite Bible verse. I constantly read this and feel encouraged. Place what challenges you are facing at the beginning of this verse and realize you can overcome. God empowers us to carry out a new way of living and power to overcome obstacles through His grace and power.

I challenge you to crack open your dusty Bible or get the Youversion Bible App on your phone. Find a scripture that encourages you and will remind you that you can overcome whatever life throws your way. Read the Word and pray daily. Whatever you do, don’t lose heart. Keep fighting the good fight!

A Prayer for You

Lord thank You for Your grace I don’t deserve. Thank You for sending Your Son to die for my sins and forgiving me. Thank you for giving me the power to overcome temptation and evil. Lord, I choose to give You all of me. Please rid me of my sinful ways and mold me into the strong person You want me to become. I pray that Your will would be done, not mine. I will give You all the glory and praise. In Your Son Jesus’ name, amen.