It Is Not Easy
(Part One)
To win a championship; to climb a mountain; or swim the sea.
There are many things to which we could say "it is not easy."

Introduction
Part of the challenge of life is the fact that we all face things which are not easy.
If things were easy, everyone would do them.
We learn that anything of value is something that we endeavor to accomplish, or seek to acquire.
Holding on to that thing of value may be hard and we can certainly say that "it is not easy."
Let us take some time and look at things which may appear to be easy for others, but not for ourselves.
Perhaps you will find yourself being described, and if so, perhaps you will seek to correct the problems you may be struggling to overcome.

IT IS NOT EASY To apologize.
We wrong somebody, or they think that they have been wronged, and we seek to discard any accountability or blame.
We say things that hurt others, and our pride gets in the way of saying "I'm sorry."
Often, we might quickly apologize if we hinder a stranger, or get in the way of someone in the store.
But when we hurt the people closest to us, it is very hard to apologize.
The reason is that by doing so, we acknowledge our own guilt in whatever matter we had a problem.

IT IS NOT EASY To begin over.
We may have spent most of our lives building a pathway through life, and fate or an act of stupidity brings it all crashing down.
We could choose to give up let life takes us wherever, and we could end up a drunkard and a bum.
Now, if we had just started and realized that we were not heading for a desired result, we could stop what we are doing and start over with relative ease.
But, after working on a project a while, we reach the point of no return, and if we mess up, we try to analyze the problem and see if there is any way to rig it so that we do not have to backtrack many of our steps.
When you think about it, our life as a Christian is a constant starting over.
Every time we express remorse and sorrow for sin, we ask God, and God forgives us our sins.
In such a way, we start over.
But we cannot continue doing this; we have to find a way to stop the sin so that we do not have to start over all the time.
But it is good to know that option is available to the Christian (1 John 1:9).

IT IS NOT EASY To admit error.
To admit that I was wrong.
This is embarrassing for many people.
There are many people who are really stupid on many matters and facts of knowledge.
It is hard to admit that: “I made a mistake”.
It is rare to find someone who knows they are not that brilliant and learn to manage through life in a less-complicated fashion.
These are probably the most stress-free individuals among us.
Our problem is the fact that we have portrayed ourselves as being the best, and error defeats such a claim.

IT IS NOT EASY To be unselfish.
The few truly unselfish people among us are really, really great people.
They have put aside their own desires in order to assist someone whom they consider to be less fortunate.
To be unselfish is one of the greatest qualities that a Christian is supposed to display.
Remember that being selfish puts one on the broad way that leads to destruction.

IT IS NOT EASY To take advice.
This is a problem that many young people have.
Yes, there are the older generations that also have a problem in learning new things or new ways to do something.
In fact, they may have been doing something wrong for so long, that any suggestion to change lifestyle or viewpoints is rejected.
Young people have a problem taking advice, because they already know everything.
As long as they know everything, there is no chance that they would take advice.
But sooner or later, they come to their senses and realize that such advice was accurate and they would have been better off had they taken the advice given to them.
What they all seem to miss is the fact that advice is given because of concern and love.
We read in Titus 2 that older men and women are to train, mentor, teach the younger men and women.

IT IS NOT EASY To be charitable.
Actually, some do find it easier when they have abundance.
Some people have absolutely too many clothes and possessions.
When a charitable need comes up, they manage to clean out the closet of unwanted items.
Remember that a word in the Bible that is translated as "Charity" is also translated as" Love".
Charity should be a character trait where we should strive to improve and help others.
Hospitality is another of those words that fall into this category.
Notice also that many times a person will display his or her charity with bells and whistles.
This is for the purpose of getting others to acknowledge how generous they are.
That type of charity may help those who need it, but God is not pleased with such selfish motives.
Jesus praised the widow who gave from her poverty.

Conclusion (Part One)
It is not easy to be a Christian.
But if you are successful, it will have been worth it.
Many of these traits have the potential to make us feel better about ourselves.
They can also make others feel important, and more importantly, loved around you.

By Carey Scott

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