What if the real question isn’t whether the Christian life is easy, but which “hard” you’ll choose? In a world obsessed with shortcuts, comfort, and instant gratification, the phrase “choose your hard” stands out like a neon sign in the dark. We all face challenges—some chosen, some thrust upon us.
The Christian life, contrary to popular belief, isn’t a ticket to ease or immunity from pain. In fact, Scripture is clear: following Christ comes with its own set of difficulties (Luke 14:25-35).
🚦 Is the Christian Life an Easy Life?
Let’s get honest right from the start. The Christian life isn’t easy in the sense that you’ll never lose your job, face financial struggles, or avoid sickness. It doesn’t guarantee you’ll be spared heartbreak or disappointment. You will encounter grief, failure, and even overwhelming sadness. Death is no stranger to believers. Anyone who promises you a pain-free Christian journey isn’t being faithful to Scripture.
But here’s the twist: you can choose your hard (Joshua 24:14-15). Life is filled with tough decisions, and every path has its own set of challenges. The question isn’t whether you’ll face difficulties, but which difficulties you’ll embrace.
📖 Old Testament: Real-Life “Hards”
Let’s look at some examples from the Old Testament that illustrate this truth:
- Abraham and Isaac (Genesis 22): Abraham faced an unimaginable test, offering his son Isaac, trusting God with the outcome. This act of obedience is a striking foreshadowing of the cross and resurrection, as Isaac carried the wood and Abraham believed God could raise him from the dead. Abraham’s “hard” was trusting God with everything, even when, on the surface, it made no sense.
- Joseph (Genesis 37-50): Joseph endured betrayal by his brothers, slavery, and imprisonment. His “hard” began with his brothers’ hatred because of his father’s favoritism. Yet, Joseph chose forgiveness over bitterness, ultimately saving his family and showing Christlike mercy.
- Daniel in the Lions’ Den (Daniel 6): Daniel chose obedience over safety. The easy choice would have been to stop praying and avoid trouble, but Daniel remained faithful, even when it meant facing the lions.
These stories aren’t about avoiding hardship—they’re about choosing the kind of hard that leads to deeper faith and greater purpose. Following God can be “hard” on a lot of days, but it’s a “hard” that transforms.
💡 Choose Your Hard: A Modern Mantra
In our culture, it’s become trendy to say, “Choose your hard.” The idea is simple: every option has a cost, and each path has its own “hard.” There’s a “hard” to following God, and there’s a “hard” to choosing your own path and not following God.
Let’s break it down:
- Bitterness is hard. Forgiveness is hard. Choose your hard!
- Marriage is hard. Divorce is hard. Choose your hard!
- Following Christ is hard. Following your own path is hard. Choose your hard!
- Obesity is hard. Fitness is hard. Choose your hard!
- Financial discipline is hard. Indebtedness is hard. Choose your hard!
- Discipleship is hard. Disobedience is hard. Choose your hard!
Every decision comes with its own set of challenges. The question is: which hard will you choose?
🧭 Jesus’ Invitation: Count the Cost
Jesus Himself invites us to count the cost and choose our hard (Luke 14:25-35). He never sugarcoated the reality of discipleship. Instead, He laid out what it truly means to follow Him:
- Love God Supremely: This is hard because it means loving God more than anyone else—even family. It’s about putting Him first, always (Luke 14:26).
- Identify with Christ: Obey Christ despite the cost, even when it leads to loss of reputation, comfort, or relationships.
- Forgive Quickly: Let go of grudges, forgive those who hurt you, and love sacrificially. Forgiveness can be one of the hardest things to do, but it’s also one of the most freeing.
- Practice Generosity: Prioritize generosity, serve others, and use your resources for God’s purposes rather than self-indulgence.
- Persevere in Trials: Continue to trust and follow Christ through suffering, injustice, or hardship.
Jesus doesn’t promise an easy road, but He does promise that it will be worth it.
🏁 The Reality: No Easy Way
The easy way doesn’t exist. Life is hard, no matter which path you take. But you can choose the hard that shapes you, refines you, and draws you closer to God. The “hard” of following Christ is filled with meaning, purpose, and the presence of God Himself.
So, what will it be? Will you choose the hard that leads to bitterness, regret, and emptiness? Or will you choose the hard that leads to growth, transformation, and eternal significance?
🔥 Your Turn: Choose Your Hard!
Today, you may stand at a crossroads. The world offers its own version of hard—one that often leads to disappointment and despair. Jesus offers a different hard—one that leads to life, hope, and joy, even during trials.
And here’s the beautiful promise: Jesus says, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:28-30).
Don’t settle for the illusion of an easy life. Embrace the challenge.
Choose the hard that matters.
Choose the hard that changes you for the better.
Choose the hard that brings you closer to God—and discover, as you walk with Christ, that His yoke truly is easy and His burden is light.
Which “hard” will you choose today? The invitation is open. The choice is yours. Step forward in faith, and experience the strength, rest, and joy found only in Him.
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