Session 7

When following Jesus seems too hard

From James: A 10-Day Devotional

Have you ever felt like it is you against the world? You chose to follow Jesus, and now life just seems too hard. No one seems to understand or agree with your decisions, even when you know they align with God’s Word. Some days, even the right choices feel like the wrong choices, causing fear and doubt to set in.

James 4:7-8 promises this: “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you.”

God calls us to live out His standards, no matter what anyone else says. Every decision we make is an opportunity to step closer to God or a step farther away from Him. When we make the decision to do what’s right over what is easy, we draw near to God and our ability to resist temptation increases.  

Every decision we make is an opportunity to step closer to God or a step farther away from Him. 

People who don’t know Jesus will tell us to do what feels good, but God tells us that if we’ll humble ourselves and follow His lead, He will lift us up (James 4:10). Maybe your decision to go to church is causing family drama right now. But what about in three months or six months as your family sees the difference following Jesus is making in your life? Maybe your decision to get up 10 minutes early and read the Bible is causing you to change the rest of your morning routine. But how much more equipped will you be to face your day when it’s covered in prayer?

Taking the easy road might feel good at the time, but if we live by God's standards, He will reward us in a much bigger way than the world could ever even offer.

Reflect:

• Is there anything in your life that God is asking you to take a stand for?
• What’s one step you can take starting this week to draw near to God?