How to Have the Strength You Need When Obeying God Is Hard

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We can laugh about it now but it definitely wasn’t funny at the moment.

We were moving from Columbus, Ohio to St. Louis, Missouri to accept a call Rev had received to serve in ministry . The moving van didn’t finish loading until almost 10 p.m. and we didn’t have a plan for the night . . . so, we started driving.

We made it as far as Indianapolis and decided to stop for the rest of the night. But it was after midnight and every “inn” we stopped at was full!

Oh, I forgot to mention that I was “great with child.” I couldn’t help but pause to think about Mary and Joseph…

While they were there, the time came for her baby to be born. She gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger because there was no lodging available for them.

Luke 2:6–7

Thankfully, I didn’t have our baby that night but I did sleep in the front seat of the car at a rest stop . . . with the dog on the floor at my feet; while my 13-year-old brother slept in the back seat and Rev slept on the hood of the car. (Yes, this was before cell phones and travel technology.)

Obeying God’s calling felt hard that night.

Have you ever had a time when obeying is hard? When you don’t understand God’s plan and you wish the Lord or even an angel would show up with some good news!

“Don’t be afraid! I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people.”

Luke 2:10

Whatever you and I are going through. Even when obeying God is hard. Maybe especially when obeying God is hard . . . that good news is for us!

“The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David!”

Luke 2:11

In everything . . . the Savior, the Messiah, the Lord is with us.

So, when obeying God is hard…

• Trust God has a plan that He will use for good and for His glory. (Romans 8:28)
• Do what God has called you to do one moment at a time. (Romans 12:2)
• Pray and ask God to give you everything you need to obey. (Luke 12:31)

A Prayer for Strength
When Obeying God is Hard

Father, I want to trust and obey you in all that I do. I want to humbly surrender my life to you. It is the desire of my heart, and yet, when I don’t understand the twists in my journey or when the days are difficult and burdensome . . . I find myself questioning and complaining. Please forgive me and give me strength each day to completely depend on You for wisdom and understanding and courage and faith and hope.

I know there will continue to be days when obeying is hard. We are living at a time when once again people are being persecuted for openly trusting and obeying Your Word. Please help and protect us. Please help me and give me all I need to remain focused on You believing that even when it’s hard, obeying You is always the best plan for my life. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

Do you ever wonder if Mary and Joseph were eventually able to laugh about that night?

Especially after the shepherds told their story…

All who heard the shepherds’ story were astonished, but Mary kept all these things in her heart and thought about them often. 

Luke 2:18–19

And maybe that’s another thing we need to do when obeying is hard…

• Keep these things in our hearts and remember the times God has give us the strength to obey in the past.

On today’s note write…

When obeying God is hard – Trust. Do. Pray. Remember.

God bless you and give you the strength you need to obey today even when it’s hard.

Click here to read the rest of Luke 2.

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