What happens when following Jesus is difficult?
It’s tempting to make following Jesus all about feeling good. We go to church when we need a pick-me-up, only read the verses that encourage us, or pray about the things we want. Even Christian radio often labels itself as “positive” or “encouraging,” further feeding into that mindset.
Yes, there are plenty of times He lifts our spirits, gives us peace in struggles, and puts a smile on our faces that the world tries to take away, but following Jesus was never promised only to make us feel good.
Jesus also calls us to follow Him into the messes of life—sometimes our own, sometimes someone else’s. And that’s not easy or feel-good. Sometimes following Jesus is hard. The question is, will you follow Him even then? When life gets tough? When faith is tested? When obedience means sacrifice? When showing love means telling a hard truth? When sharing Him costs you friends instead of gaining them?
Then he said to them all, “If anyone wants to follow after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow me.”
—Luke 9:23
“You will have suffering in this world. Be courageous! I have conquered the world.”
—John 16:33
