You can do hard things.
It’s a reminder I need for myself daily.
I never expected my labor to be 18 hours. And I didn’t want an epidural. Some way, somehow—with the help of God and my husband—I was able to not get one.
So many people had their doubts. I even had my own. And yet I did it. I accomplished my goal and did something harder than I ever thought I could do.
I’ll admit though—in the midst of that labor I had my doubts. There were so many times I said to Clay, “I can’t do this.” And yet… I did it.
That experience—being in more pain than I ever thought possible for a human being to endure, and for so much longer than I ever thought—taught me that I can do hard things. Harder things than I ever imagined.
And so. Can. You!
God showed up for me there in that hard place. And I guarantee He will show up for you in yours. If you open up the door for Him to.
Clay turned on worship music in our hospital room, and I truly believe it opened the door for God to meet me, speak to me, and give me visions that ultimately helped me accomplish that very hard thing.
Today, even now, after knowing just how much of a hard thing I can do, I still have my doubts! I doubt my ability to be a great mom. I don’t my ability to even get through the week. And yet, to this truth I cling and of this truth I remind myself: I CAN DO HARD THINGS. THROUGH HIM WHO GIVES ME STRENGTH.
There’s a reason it’s called “daily bread.” And I must remember to take it one day at a time, trusting that God—as He has proven—will show up and strengthen me for the task at hand, for the challenge I am facing, for the hard thing set before me and the one in which I am immersed.
I believe He will do the same for you.
Are you doubting yourself in the midst of a hard thing? Turn to Him, pray to Him, surround yourself with Spirit-filled things (like worship music), and remember that YOU CAN DO HARD THINGS!
And if you’re struggling to remember this truth—like I so often do—remember back to the times when God carried you through a hard thing, and allow that memory to fuel you through this hard thing.
Remember: our God is the same yesterday, today and forever (Heb. 13:8). He is unchanging. He has shown up for you in the past. He will show up for you in the present. He will show up for you in the future. He will faithfully equip you to do hard things.
{Our birth story is here in case you missed it!}
