It Is Not Easy
(Part Two)
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 be considerate.
Every action we take has an impact upon someone else.
Every decision has the potential to cause damage to someone or perhaps they will benefit by our choices.
All too often, we make decision with only one person that we consider; "me".
Often when decisions are made, our first instinct is to ask "what's in it for me?"
We know that people make dumb decisions all the time.
Some choose to drink to excess and may drive into another car with someone's family member.
The result is death or injury that could never be rectified.
Some choose to commit a crime.

IT IS NOT EASY To endure success.
Even if success is our goal; once we realize it, we have to maintain it.
For so many, the success just feeds their lusts for power and riches.
This causes them to take short-cuts or bending of the rules.
When this happens, someone gets hurt.
Many allow success to go to their head, and they continue doing whatever it takes (legal or not) to keep on top.
Joshua was told that if he would only follow the instructions of the law that Moses had given to the people, that he would have success wherever he went (Joshua 1:7-8).
We also can have success in life without riches, power, materials, or prestige.

IT IS NOT EASY To keep on trying.
Usually this is because of frustration.
Thomas Edison had tried hundreds of materials for his light bulb.
In all of his trials, he learned what did not work; but he kept trying, and eventually found the material that worked in the light bulb.
We too need to keep trying to be the best we can be.
Certainly, we should work to be the best Christian we can be.
For many, it is the effort put forth that is rewarding.
To keep on trying does not always mean that you are falling short of some objective.
It is the resolve we need to continue in the things we are doing.

IT IS NOT EASY To forgive and forget.
As humans, we fail to turn off portions of our memories.
We program ourselves to associate people with events or appearances.
When someone sins, and confesses their sins; we just cannot seem to let it go especially if the sin was against us.
We employ a defense mechanism to be wary of anyone who has hurt us in the past (even if we did forgive them).
However, when God forgives sin, He forgets it, and will remember those sins no more (Jeremiah 31:34).
Our duty is to put the sins behind us and look upward and forward toward the goal of heaven.
We need to remember to thank God for forgetting our sins, and then we need to forgive ourselves.
Paul seemed to have this problem as he felt horrible about what he had done to members of the Church.

IT IS NOT EASY To keep out of the rut.
The thought horrifies us that we are doing things without thinking or considering what we are doing.
Yet we keep doing the same things all the time.
Getting out of the rut would mean that we have to think more.
We have to make the effort to get out of a routine in order to realize our worship truly is in spirit and truth.
We have to make the effort to get out of a routine that keeps us from learning (studying) what God wants us to do.

IT IS NOT EASY To make the most of a little.
Paul told the Ephesians to redeem (make the most use of) the time (Ephesians 5:16).
Paul told the Philippians that he learned to get by with prosperity and even poverty.
It is a matter of perspective.
Yes, our time is running out because every one of us is racing to the grave.
I am sure that everyone who desires to be a Christian will someday regret the wasted time when they could have been studying more or teaching more.
My, oh my, the wasted time when we could have been serving God, and we were just serving ourselves.
Sometimes, in the home, we may not have much, but we learn to get along with what we have.

IT IS NOT EASY To maintain a high standard.
How often do teams repeat their championships?
Not very often, unless they maintain the high standards that got them the championships.
There are always other teams that are hungry for the crown, and they seek to improve themselves so that they can win with a high standard.
Living a faithful Christian life is of the highest of standards, and yet so few are seeking to maintain such a standard.
But this is nothing new, is it?

IT IS NOT EASY To recognize the silver lining.
Every effort has one.
We often fail to see it.
There is a purpose for everything that happens.
Some can really see that it works out for the best.
Paul told the Romans that God actually does good for those who love Him (Romans 8:28).
One thing we all can do is to recognize the good that someone does and commend them for their efforts.
You can encourage many by complimenting them.
Many times, we will recognize that the effort we made was worth it in the end.
That is the silver lining.


There is probably a whole list of things we could put here that falls in this category.
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.

Conclusion (Part Two)
To be genuine and good is rare in our society today.
If we are going to be successful, we need to demonstrate the humility required to do these things.
If we do these things, even though they might be difficult or hard, God will be pleased with our efforts.

By Carey Scott

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