5 Reasons Why Christians Should Do Hard Things

Read on: onedayout.com

Read time: 5 minutes

Welcome to One Day Out, a weekly newsletter to help deepen your faith, enhance your health, and guide you in pursuing a purpose-filled life.

Opening Prayer

Lord, thank you for the trials you are putting me through and thank you for promising to help me get through it and be refined by it. You are so intentional and allow things to happen for my good. Help me to come out on the other side of these trials with a deeper reliance on You.

In Jesus’ name,

Amen.

Why Do Hard Things As a Christian?

I used to think doing hard things was all about proving something—to myself, others, maybe even God. Whether it was grinding through tough workouts, running marathons, or taking on new challenges, I felt like I had to keep up with everyone else around me. It’s so easy to fall into the comparison trap, chasing hard physical feats not because I felt called to them, but because I thought I had to.

But over time, God opened my eyes to something deeper. Doing hard things isn’t about proving our worth or trying to match or one-up someone else’s journey. It’s about being prepared—spiritually, mentally, and physically—to handle the trials life throws at us. When challenges come (and trust me, they will), we’re better equipped to lean on our faith, push through the struggle, and grow because of it.

This really hit home for me recently when I was invited to an event in Miami with the Ten Thousand team. The theme of the weekend was "Do hard things, and do them together." After pushing ourselves through tough workouts, we capped it off by running the Miami Half Marathon in a 20 lb weighted vest. It was hot, humid, and absolutely brutal. Verses like Joshua 1:9, Philippians 4:13, and James 1:12 kept running through my mind. Everyone was suffering, but I knew people feed off your energy. So, I made sure to stay positive, encourage others, and (do my best to) not complain.

That night, I flew home, and my girlfriend picked me up from the airport. I had told her I was going to run 26.2 miles for my birthday the next day. When she picked me up, she asked if I was ready. She didn’t say anything else, just gave me that look—and I knew what it meant. Even though I was completely wiped, I was going to do it. It was brutal, but it gave me so much time to be in deep prayer and rely on the Lord when I felt weak. My buddy Griffin rode the last 11 miles with me on his bike, and a few other friends joined for parts, which I’m so grateful for.

But here’s what God showed me during that run: when we put ourselves in hard situations—when everything in us wants to quit—we build a resilience that spills over into every part of life. I’m not sharing this to boast or to say you need to run marathons in weighted vests. Everyone’s version of hard looks different. For some, it’s just getting to the gym, stepping into a cold plunge, or running your first mile. But the more you challenge yourself, the stronger you get—and that strength carries over into life, especially when it comes to living as a Christian, which isn’t always easy.

Here are 5 reasons why Christians should embrace hard things:

1. Strengthens Your Faith: Tough challenges force us to lean on God more deeply, drawing us closer to Him.

2. Builds Resilience: Facing trials gives us the endurance we need to handle life’s struggles.

3. Refines Your Character: Hard things expose our weaknesses and help shape us into who God is calling us to be.

4. Prepares You for God's Purpose: Challenges get us ready for the unique mission God has for our lives.

5. Witness to Others: How we handle hard times can inspire and uplift others in their faith journey.

As Christians, doing hard things isn’t about the achievement—it’s about the transformation God wants to do in us. It’s about becoming resilient, faithful, and ready to walk the path Jesus set before us, no matter how tough it gets.

But here’s the trap—and I have to remind myself of this all the time: Don’t do hard things just to impress people. Do them to grow into the person God is calling you to be.

So, ask yourself: Are you doing hard things to prove something, or to become the person God designed you to be?

Closing Prayer

Lord, thank you for giving me a body, mind, and spirit capable of serving you. Thank you for sending your son Jesus to die on the cross for my sins to that I may have everlasting life with You in heaven. Help me to be joyful during hard times knowing you allow them to happen for my good, and help me to be an encourager to others to help support them on their walk.

In Jesus’ name,

Amen.

Know others who want to grow in their faith, optimize their health, and live a biblically sound life according to God’s word? Share this and let’s grow His Kingdom!

WAS THIS FORWARDED TO YOU? Sign up here!

QUESTIONS OR THOUGHTS? Reply to this email!