Christianity was supposed to be about becoming like Jesus. We went in the wrong direction.
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Why Do Things That Are Difficult?

 

We all know the allure of comfort and ease. Some have even had the resources to indulge whatever whims they have had. Many without any resources, such as alcoholics, have also followed this path. The consumptive life may be said to end in consuming oneself.

Most go to work each day to get the money to sustain their families. This can be seen as drudgery by those who would rather follow the path of ease and comfort. Many of these plug themselves into entertainment as soon as they get home such that they neglect the family they are working to support. In contrast, there are those who see in their labor the opportunity to help both those they labor for  as well as be able to give to support their own family. Being able to see positive results as an effect of labor can make labor less difficult.

Difficulty can arise not only in regard to labor. One can find it difficult to risk group disapproval. Group identity often requires group compliance. To risk being seen to do something different can be difficult. There are also internal difficulties such as the anxieties that can arise when contemplating doing something new or even how one appears should he ask questions.

The phrase “path of least resistance” can be applied to much in life, that of avoiding difficulty. However, there are times when one chooses to do what is difficult. It can be useful to examine what can motivate one to chose a difficult path.

1. Duty. One can accept responsibilities such as employment, marriage, and parenthood.
2. Curiosity. One can desire to understand or seek an answer to a question.
3. Obtain a benefit. One can learn a skill, exercise for health, or confront a problem.
4. Offer assistance. One can take action or offer to help another.
5. Decline assistance. One might refuse a request to avoid a dependency or spoil a child.
6. Taking a stand. One might resign employment or break a relationship for ethical reasons.
7. Resisting an indulgence. One might forgo short term pleasure for long term goals.

Motives for undertaking difficulty can range from courage to fidelity to compassion. They usually combine perception as well as a willingness to act upon what is seen. However, these motivations to endure difficulty stem from intentional choices. There are difficulties that might be considered the consequential result of poor choices. For example, the girl who marries a man who abandons her with her children might be seen to experience difficulty as a result of a poor choice.

Some are driven to make difficult choices because they had previously made poor choices. This can lead one to learn that by facing difficult choices first, one can reduce the difficulty that can result from poor choices or or even neglecting to make choices at all. Learning to be perceptive and understand what difficulties should be faced can result in a life with less pain and even pleasant rewards.




  


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