When the Work Feels Too Hard
"But the one who hears and does not act is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The river crashed against it, and immediately it collapsed. And the destruction of that house was great" - Luke 6:49
Let’s be honest. Living for Jesus is not always easy. Obedience sounds simple in theory, but when it comes time to actually do it, the work can wear you down. Forgiving people who hurt you. Choosing integrity when no one is watching. Staying faithful when everything in you wants to quit. That is not light work. That is digging deep, and deep digging takes real effort.
Jesus never pretended this road would be smooth. In fact, right before He talked about the two houses in Matthew 7, He gave a warning. The way that leads to life is narrow, and only a few find it. Not because it is hidden, but because it is hard. It requires surrender, sacrifice, and daily commitment. You do not coast into a life built on the Rock. You labor toward it.
Sometimes we call Him Lord, but we stop short of doing what He says because we are tired. We start building but hit rock and decide it is too much. We feel the pressure of digging in, of obeying when it is inconvenient, and we settle for surface-level living instead of a solid foundation. That is where destruction starts, not in the storm itself, but in the decision to avoid the hard work of obedience.
Toil is part of following Jesus. But it is not toil without purpose. Every hard choice you make in His name builds something that will last. Every time you resist the easy way and choose His way, your foundation grows stronger. He does not ask you to dig deep just to test you. He asks you to dig deep because He knows what is coming, and He wants you to be ready.
If it feels hard today, you are not doing it wrong. You are probably right where you should be. Do not stop building. Keep going. Not because it is easy, but because He is worth it. And when the storm comes, you will be glad you didn’t quit.
Let’s be honest. Living for Jesus is not always easy. Obedience sounds simple in theory, but when it comes time to actually do it, the work can wear you down. Forgiving people who hurt you. Choosing integrity when no one is watching. Staying faithful when everything in you wants to quit. That is not light work. That is digging deep, and deep digging takes real effort.
Jesus never pretended this road would be smooth. In fact, right before He talked about the two houses in Matthew 7, He gave a warning. The way that leads to life is narrow, and only a few find it. Not because it is hidden, but because it is hard. It requires surrender, sacrifice, and daily commitment. You do not coast into a life built on the Rock. You labor toward it.
Sometimes we call Him Lord, but we stop short of doing what He says because we are tired. We start building but hit rock and decide it is too much. We feel the pressure of digging in, of obeying when it is inconvenient, and we settle for surface-level living instead of a solid foundation. That is where destruction starts, not in the storm itself, but in the decision to avoid the hard work of obedience.
Toil is part of following Jesus. But it is not toil without purpose. Every hard choice you make in His name builds something that will last. Every time you resist the easy way and choose His way, your foundation grows stronger. He does not ask you to dig deep just to test you. He asks you to dig deep because He knows what is coming, and He wants you to be ready.
If it feels hard today, you are not doing it wrong. You are probably right where you should be. Do not stop building. Keep going. Not because it is easy, but because He is worth it. And when the storm comes, you will be glad you didn’t quit.
Subscribe Now for Daily Devotionals
Recent
Archive
2025
July
What Are You Hiding From?Where Worry GrowsWhere Security Really Comes FromChange What You’re Looking AtAnswer the Right QuestionsWhere Are You Looking?Go to the Right WellLet Go of the GripQuit Trying to Outmuscle WorryRunning on EmptyWhen “Lord” is Just a WordDig Deeper Before the StormWhen the Work Feels Too HardThe Slow Work That LastsWhat Were You ThinkingDo You Trust Him?Not Everything Sweet is SafeSay It or Show ItMore Than a NameThe Weight Behind the WordsThe Cost of CommitmentMore Than Good IntentionsThe Neighbor You’re BecomingWhat Are You Known ForSlow Down and See ThemEyes to See, Time to StopWhat Comes FirstMercy MovesWho Are You Really After?The Right Name, the Wrong HeartPower Matters
August
Living a Life That Makes People Ask WhyWhen Your Life Makes No SenseWhen Normal Isn’t the GoalThe Right Kind of QuestionableWhen Motives Get MisunderstoodThere’s a Bigger Story at WorkWhen They Question Your WhyWhen Your Way Gets QuestionedWhen Obedience Breaks ExpectationsWhose Glory Are You Seeking?When the Cross Seems QuestionableBless Someone TodayA Little Can Bless a LotThe Power in Just Showing UpWhen Obedience Doesn’t Make SenseMore Than EnoughThe Beauty of Broken ThingsProtecting the Wrong ThingThe Danger of Misplaced EffortWhat Are You Trading?The First Trade You Must MakePick Up What Matters Most
No Comments