How to do Hard Things That Don't pay of Immediately
Top 5 reasons doing small hard things is so difficult:
#1. They don't usually go away after you do them.
(like dishes, laundry, etc.)
#2. They don't seem very important.
#3. They don't seem to make a difference.
#4.They don't seem very glamorous.
#5. No one is watching.
Top 5 ways we fail to do small hard things:
#1. Procrastination
#2. Inconsistency
#3. Compromise
#4. Begrudging
#5. Cheating
This chapter is one of my personal favorites as it nearly applies directly to me. My personality it more likely to do hard things but set those little things off to the side. I have no problem tackling two hours of chores three times a day, but have a hard getting with keeping my room clean. I think I'm a prime case of not doing small hard things. You'd think....it'd be so easy! This chapter really helped me prioritize and see how important even those little jobs are.
"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men."
Colossians 3:23
"Whatever you do, do all to the glory of God."
1 Corinthians 10:31
Here's a great paragraph out of the book:
"Rebelutionaries have to think straight about this problem or we'll get ambushed on our way to doing big hard things for God. And what's more, we'll miss out on the genuine significance and hidden benefits of what we like to call "small hard things."
Jenna:
Ah yes, doing those small hard things don't normally appeal to me, or seem glamorous!! I completely understand how it feels to look at the dish pile that NEVER goes away...and, it seems like my little 4 year old sister (who shares my room) always forgets to pick up her clothes and put them away - extra job;)
However, we are reminded in Luke 25:21 that if "You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much."
I was very blessed by the quote below:
"Small hard things are the individual repetitions - like a single push-up. They are seemingly insignificant by themselves but guaranteed to get results over time." Pg. 138
As we go through our daily routines, let's all purpose to enjoy the little hard things, knowing that over time there will be a guaranteed reward/result!!
Josh:
"Small things most often occur behind the closed doors of our homes, schools, or churches. They are rarely new or exciting, and they are often repetitive-even tedious. Small things happen on the level at which we normally live our lives. In fact, in the most basic sense they are our lives- the 'stuff' that makes up everyday living." pg. 135
Like Jenna and Bethany, the small things are typically not glamorous and most times tedious. But, many of the challenges and the hard things that come our way and cause the most character growth, are just the things that happen everyday! Let's embrace the small hard things and do them to the glory of God...
What are 3 small hard things you have a hard time accomplishing?
~Bethany, Josh and Jenna~
2 comments:
Very true! So often young people want to go out and do great things for God, when he is calling them to first be faithful in the small things right at home. Great post! I wanted to read the book along with you all but we gave it out to someone to borrow. Hopefully we'll get it back soon, I'm eager to read it again. :)
God Bless,
Kelsey
I think the #1 reason for NOT doing small hard things should have been selfishness. Look at the reasons they gave that "doing small hard things is so difficult" and you can see why. This whole "Do Hard Things" idea is wonderful, but can really appeal to "the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eys, and the pride of life" (I John 2:16). Just remember religious zealots can be the most worldly people there are because of this. Been there, done that. The hardest things all of us, and especially you young people can do will be noticed by nobody. Oddly enough, if you do these things nobody notices, people WILL notice you. It is how WE worship and enjoy God and how HE tests and teaches us. The perfect "killing 2 birds with one stone".
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