When God Asks You to Do the Hard Things
- Dr. Jackie Minor
- Sep 21
- 4 min read
This wasn’t supposed to be my blog topic this week. Honestly, God interrupted my plans, and I wasn’t all that happy about it. I hope it’s okay to admit that. Do you ever wonder why things have to be so hard sometimes?
Years ago I was asked to work with a group of educators in a given district. During one of my conversations with leadership, I couldn’t help but ask my point of contact, “Does everything here have to be so complicated?” She paused, gave me one of those knowing smiles, and said, “Yeah, pretty much!” We both laughed, but deep down I thought, that’s exactly how my spiritual journey feels sometimes.
There have been moments during my walk with Christ when I have sighed and asked (in love, of course), “Lord, does it always have to be this hard?” In my spirit I have heard Him say, with a grin, “Yeah, pretty much.” Can you relate?
Don’t get me wrong. I don’t think the Christian life is always hard. However, I do know from experience that God often calls us into places that stretch us. He asks us to forgive, to speak truth when it’s uncomfortable, to resist temptations that pull hard, or to step into assignments that feel bigger than we are. If you’re anything like me, you’ve wrestled with how to react. Let me share a few ways I have responded over the years—sometimes well and sometimes not so well.
Putting It Off
There have been plenty of times when I sensed God nudging me to have a hard conversation, but instead of obeying right away, I hesitated. I’ll never forget a particular parent volunteer that was assigned to my classroom. She had a wonderful heart and was always willing to help, but she just wasn’t kind to kids. She truly thought her “tough love” was helpful. It wasn’t, and I knew in my spirit that I needed to address it.
I am sorry to say I did not approach her when I sensed God prompting me to act. I made excuses. I dropped hints. I prayed she’d somehow notice on her own. The longer I waited, the heavier it felt. When I finally did have that conversation, it was harder than it ever needed to be.
Scripture is clear on a very important principle. “If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin” (James 4:17). Putting off what we should do because it makes us uncomfortable doesn’t remove the hard thing. It just makes the task more difficult.
Actively Waiting for the Open Door
Sometimes the Lord places something on our hearts, but He gives us space to grow into it. That’s what I call active waiting. When I was serving as an administrator, I remember having a strained relationship with one particular colleague. One morning I clearly sensed God whisper, “You need to apologize.” That wasn’t easy to hear, and truthfully, I wasn’t ready to act right away. However, I was willing.
So I prayed. I wrestled. I opened my Bible again and again, asking God to show me my part in the mess. Over the course of months, He prepared me. He humbled me. He helped me see that when the time came, I needed to ask forgiveness with no strings attached.
One evening as I was driving past a school, I prayed, “Lord, if her car is in the lot, I will stop.” Sure enough, it was. That night I did the hard thing, and in the doing, I felt a weight lifted off my shoulders. Active waiting is not about sitting still. It is about leaning in until God opens the right door.
“Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.” Galatians 5:25
Doing It Afraid
There are also those moments when there is no way around a situation. You just have to step forward, trembling hands and all. For me, that was writing my book, Taking Jesus to School: The Fruit of the Spirit on Display. Speaking has always been more natural for me. Writing? That felt impossible.
When God first nudged me to write blogs for Victorious Educator Ministries back in 2018, I thought that was stretching enough. However, His prompting didn’t stop. Year after year the call to write a book wouldn’t leave me. I was afraid. I was afraid of the unknown. I was afraid of not being equipped to accomplish the task.
Eventually, I realized I had a choice. Either I had to believe that God was bigger than my fear, or I had to let fear win. So I did it afraid. Writing the book wasn’t easy, but God proved faithful every step of the journey. Obeying despite fear doesn’t make the fear vanish, but it shows how big God really is.
“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10
Why the Hard Things Matter
So why does God ask us to do these hard things? He does so because He loves us too much to let us stay the same. Growth is never comfortable, but it’s always worth it. As we yield to the Holy Spirit, we discover that the very places which scare us most are often where God’s presence feels closest. Here’s the best news. He never asks us to face the hard things alone.
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13
“…we are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair.” 2 Corinthians 4:8–9
Friend, whatever hard thing God is pressing on your heart today, don’t shrink back. Don’t delay. Don’t let fear decide. Lean into Him. Say yes. When you are obedient to do the hard things God has called you to do, you will never regret it.
Lord, thank You for calling us to the hard things, even when fear and hesitation rise. Give us courage to obey, patience to wait, and hearts open to Your guidance. Help us to trust Your timing, lean on Your strength, and feel Your presence in every challenge. May we step forward in faith, knowing You are with us, equipping us for every task You place before us. In Jesus’s name, Amen.
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