Doing Hard Things Easily

Doing hard things is such an important lesson to learn in life!

When I began spiritually fasting, I was desperate to help my mother as she was dying in the retirement home – locked down during the covid crisis. As horrible as that time was, I am actually thankful for that time of pain. Sometimes desperation creates needed change. My Mom helped me to learn how to do the last hard thing: Spiritually Fast.

It was tough to develop a regimen around fasting, but through it all, I really learned things about myself. I had wounds deep in my heart that needed to be healed and other problems that I did not confront due to a very busy life with family and friends, work, and all the things that take up time in our days.

But, that day when my Mom needed me the most, I answered her call. I started to fast and pray for a resolution out of complete desperation. It sometimes takes very tumultuous struggles to get serious about God and the miracles that he has to offer us. It takes having no other choice – no other solution than prayer and fasting to fix something. So, I dove in 100% — in complete belief.

I had all the knowledge I needed to do it. I just had to begin. Sort of like standing on the high dive staring down at the deep water at the community pool when I was young. And, my friend literally pushed me in to the water. I could fully swim – in fact, I was a good swimmer, but I was scared and it seemed so far and the water looked so treacherous from up there. And, then I was shoved off into the water. It wasn’t bad at all. It wasn’t as far as my mind was telling me it was. It was actually exhilarating and gave me a feeling of courage and then accomplishment and then I did it again and again. That was a long time ago – I bet they don’t even have high dives at community pools anymore.

I use this analogy to point out that most Catholics really don’t want to fast. In fact, many Catholics don’t want to pray or fast. Our culture has arrived at a place where immediate gratification is the norm and everything we want is relatively easy to get. Until you get to the point of desperation with your weight or relationships or faith life that you cry out to God like Tobit in the Bible and God answers by shoving you off the diving board into the water. This is really a sweet act of his ultimate mercy. In that space where courage conquers fear is where all the answers are – swirling around right in front of you. When you have nowhere else to turn then you turn to Jesus. And, honestly – this is the best thing that could ever happen to you.

So right now – no matter what is happening in your life. Thank God for it – the pain, the struggle, the hardship – offered to Jesus in redemptive suffering, offered to others as prayer for conversion – this struggle gives you an opportunity to serve God, others, and ultimately you, all the way to heaven. You can’t get to heaven on a yacht sipping margaritas and basking in the sun. It sounds great, but that’s not where growth happens. You are going to have to struggle yourself there. And you can use whatever is going on in your own life, your family, and this nation to get there.

You can do hard things, easily. You can do all things with love.