Following Christ Isn’t Always Easy

Following Christ isn’t easy. Actually, living in this world as followers of Christ isn’t easy.

It’s hard, exhausting, and painful—both emotionally and spiritually.

There are a lot of people out there in the world who choose to do evil for fun, and they couldn’t care less about life—human or not. Things like that weigh heavy on our hearts because we’ve felt the grace of God in our lives, and we would never do some of the vile things we see others doing. It’s impossible to understand as Christians the actions of evildoers.

“How could someone do that?”

Because they don’t know God as their Father (1 John 3:10; Matt. 7:16-20). They don’t believe, or worse: They just don’t care that Jesus died for them. The weight of His sacrifice is nothing to them; they don’t feel a thing in that regard. Selfish people cannot feel what others have gone through, because they’re too inward-leaning. They focus on themselves far more than they should, and it makes it hard for them to relate to others.

These selfish—sometimes evil—people can effect others with their actions. They may harm a loved one (or even you) due to their carelessness. You may be permanently impacted due to their reckless actions. You might be left to live your life in pain because of them.

“Why me, God? Why do I suffer while people like that live happier, easier lives?”

Because you chose to take up your cross and follow Him (Matt. 16:24), and now you will have to deal with injustice (John 16:33). Evildoers will punish you, and your life will be full of trials and tribulations simply because YOU are a follower of Christ. 

“Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.” —Romans 12:12 (ESV)

“Woe to you who are well-fed (gorged, satiated) now, for you will be hungry. Woe to you who laugh now [enjoying a life of self-indulgence], for you will mourn and weep [and deeply long for God].” —Luke 6:25 (AMP)

In what ways has your life changed, both good and bad, since you became a follower of Christ?