00:00When you want to quit because you're at an obstacle and it's hard, opportunity always
00:12shows up in the form of obstacles. Good things have to be fought for, but it doesn't minimize
00:18the challenge of facing the difficulty. If you want to build strong relationships, marriage,
00:24parenting, friendship, it is going to be difficult because intimacy takes work,
00:29growth, and sacrifice. If you want to grow a business or a ministry, it is going to be a
00:35challenge because leading at new levels requires you to grow to new levels. If you want to deepen
00:41your life with Jesus, you are going to be challenged to engage with Jesus in new and unfamiliar ways
00:47that will build that intimacy. The soreness in your muscles when you physically do a hard workout
00:53is the result of micro tears in your muscle tissue that, when they heal, create stronger muscles.
00:59The only way to get physically stronger is to push yourself and to hurt a little bit.
01:05If you want to grow stronger in your life, obstacles and challenges are the way that you get there,
01:11physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually. One of the greatest lies out there is the sentimental
01:17saying, God will never give you more than you can handle. God's love wants you to live a life of
01:24faith and dependence on him. If you are never given anything you can't handle, you don't need God.
01:30You can do it yourself. So yes, God does give you more than you can handle so you can experience his
01:37greater love, power, strength, grace, and mercy. Keep going. Don't quit.
01:44Questions to consider. What's hard in your life right now?
01:48How can you have the mindset that embraces the hard as an opportunity instead of a hindrance to where
01:55you want to go and grow? Actions to take. Ask God to show you where his grace and love are inviting
02:02you to grow and trust him with the hard you find yourself in the midst of. Tell a friend what your
02:08hard is and ask them to support you and pray for you. Prayer to make.
02:13Dear Jesus, thank you for the hard I find myself in the midst of during this time of my life.
02:21Although I confess I don't like how it feels, I am trusting you to use this for my good and for
02:26your glory. Strengthen me to learn what you are teaching me and to grow in my love for you and
02:33trust in you. Amen.
