Are Some Things Too Hard?

When my grandfather died at the age of 68, my grandmother said, "This is too hard; I can't make it through." But she did. In fact, she lived another 25 years, baked chocolate pies, quilted with a ladies group from her church, and got to be at our wedding and later meet her two great-grandchildren.

When my daughter was in high school, she brought home her literature book and threw it down saying, "No one can understand this Shakespeare stuff; it is too hard!" But we waded through Mr. Shakespeare's tragedy and our daughter made a good grade. However, she is still not a fan of Shakespeare.

Are some things really too hard or do we just imagine that they are too hard? The real answer to both is probably "Yes." A great number of things are beyond my limited skill set and always will be. Some of those things are just beyond my physical strength to do while others are impossible for me because of a lack of knowledge. And some, well, they just paralyze me and keep me from ever trying. My guess is that all of us could fill in some blanks and name some specific areas that we would label as being too hard for us.

Right now I am working on an assignment related to a church that at times just seems too hard. The thought processes needed would have been much easier years ago, but now I really have to think and pray to understand what I need to present.

If I were to stop this post here, I would be very discouraged, but there is more to say and a reason to hope. Some of the most difficult tasks I have ever been given came from one who knew all of my strengths and all of my limitations. Even with that knowledge, He gave me tasks that were simply too hard for me. And yet the surprising reality is that I accepted the challenges and saw those tasks completed. Am I just an overachiever? No! But I am a believer.

In the Bible, Paul wrote these words in Philippians 4:13:

"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."

When Jesus' disciples pushed for an explanation about how something, that to them seemed impossible, could happen, Jesus told them:

"With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."

(Matthew 19:26)

There is no doubt that for us, a lot of things are way too hard. Literally, they are impossible. But the impossible often becomes the possible when God is involved. My impossible assignment can be accomplished as long as I am willing for God to be in charge and I am an obedient follower.

What appears to be impossible for you this week? Are you trying to do it all yourself? Maybe you should consider turning the task over to God and let Him direct you in what He wants you to do next. It is not too hard for God.