The Year of Doing Hard Things

There are times when it’s still hard to believe it’s been 28 years since I started KGBTexas. I often joke that after all that time with the same title and not a single promotion, I have never had a boring or uninspiring day. Frustrating, challenging, heartbreaking and difficult, sure. But the vast majority of days were and continue to be uplifting, victorious, rewarding and oh-so-worth-it.

Within our lives come seasons, and it took me a long time and a lot of reflection to realize this point. I think that I was running so fast while building a business, raising a family and doing everything else that falls into that “other” category, I didn’t really recognize those seasons, even while I was in them.

Every January and August, my husband and I immerse ourselves in 21 days of prayer and fasting. It’s an experience with our church, St. Andrew’s Church, and under the direction and leadership of Church of the Highlands, that we both look forward to. (If you have questions about 21 days, DM me. I’m happy to share my journey. It’s life-changing in my opinion.)

This year, in addition to my normal prayers, I asked God what He had in store for me for 2022 and on what He wanted me to focus. Each day, I would ask, “God, what is it You want me to do?” “What am I supposed to do to serve You?” And it wasn’t until the 21st day that He spoke very clearly to me, “Do hard things.” It was very direct, clear and definitive.

Now, knowing what I am supposed to do ?is a different story. Do “hard things?” That could be any number of things. However, that’s the beauty in God’s wisdom and love for us. His direction is clear, but it is up to us to hear it, ask His guidance in how we interpret it and then follow it. My focus is on being obedient in the direction that He gave me and to use it as a filter for my choices and decisions in 2022.

I believe His directive has pushed me into areas of discomfort and has encouraged me to take on new and exciting challenges. You might recognize my initial reactions as your own: “I can’t do that.” “That’s too hard.” “That’s too big for me to tackle.” “I’m not good enough to be successful.” Fortunately, my heart knows none of that is true. It was simply one of the ways the devil routinely tries to convince us of his lies. And that is exactly why I believe God challenged me to do hard things, namely to learn to ignore the lies and remain focused on His truth.

There are several difficult challenges that have already come my way in 2022, and I’m sure more are to come. Yet, when each challenge arrives on my doorstep, I lay them at His feet because I know I’m not alone in facing and overcoming those obstacles and rising to the opportunities.