Why is Following Jesus Easier for Other People?
You know, I used to have this question myself. I don’t anymore. Because the answer is relatively simple. But before we get to the answer let me make something very clear.
I’m not going to tell you that following Jesus is hard for every person. Let’s be really real here. Being a Jesus follower does not look the same for everyone. Are you in imminent danger of being murdered by zealous religious mobs because of your faith? Probably not. Some people have it very rough. But, lest you think I am going to compare you to potential or actual modern-day martyrs, I’m not. At least not more than I already have.
Now, I know, I KNOW, that some people, even those not in danger of martyrdom, still have it tougher in following Jesus than others do. And part of the reason is circumstances outside their control. The actions of others, chronic diseases, the tragic loss of a loved one, and many other challenges can impact the difficulty of following Jesus significantly.
The other reason following Jesus is harder for some of us is because of our own choices. I’m going to address both of these reasons separately.
It’s Not My Fault
No, sometimes it’s not your fault. Sometimes people do horrible, hurtful things to each other. Other times maladies we did not cause affect us physically or mentally. Even the world we live in has unexplainable deadly events. The truth is innocent people often suffer.
Does this mean those of us dealing with circumstances beyond our control must be resigned to a sorry life, one where misery is our constant companion and hope is nowhere to be found?
No.
The Lord is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation; this is my God, and I will praise him, my father's God, and I will exalt him.
-Exodus 15:2 ESV
My amazing sister-in-law lived that verse. She sang throughout the day. She was filled with joy from the Lord. She served cancer patients by making blankets. She mentored college age women in following Jesus. She did more than I can remember, and more than I have ever done as a Jesus follower to love the Lord and to love other people. I miss her terribly.
She passed away a few years ago. You see, she had polio as a child and as a result had great health challenges her entire life. Severe scoliosis, one lung that barely functioned, a partially paralyzed leg, more emergency room visits and hospital stays than most people could imagine for themselves, and a prediction from doctors that she would not see her 30th birthday. When she died, she was over three decades beyond their negative prognosis. I think that the Lord gave her so much extra time because He loved how beautifully she accomplished His mission for her.
Do you know why I share just a tiny bit of her story? Because she exuded joy almost every day. Because she showed the love of Christ without fail. She proved something critical to me. No matter the circumstances, no matter how “hard” life appears to be, following Jesus can be easy.
What was her secret? And how does it still impact me today? Finally, how can YOU have an easier time, a MUCH easier time in following your Lord? For that we must get to the second reason being a Jesus follower is harder for some people than others.
It’s Totally My Fault
What was my sister-in-law’s secret? I’ll give it to you in three words.
She gave up.
Why is being a Jesus follower harder for you than other people?
You haven’t given up.
The Lord said to Moses, “I have seen this people, and behold, they are an obstinate people.
-Exodus 32:9 NASB
Here is the very simple secret to making following Jesus MUCH easier. You have to give up. You have to give up your need to be right. You have to give up your desire to go your own way. You have to give up the sin you still hold on to. You have to give up control of your money. You have to give up your plans, your goals, your dreams. You have to give up your life.
But you say to me, “I don’t want to give up control. I don’t want to not get what I want. I don’t want to give up the dreams I’ve held tightly for so very, very long.”
And yet Jesus asks us…
What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?
-Mark 8:36 NIV
Why It’s Not Just Easier, But Infinitely Better
Do you truly want to have an easier time following Jesus? Do you truly want to stop all the struggles? Then let them go. Give them up. The only reason we struggle to follow Jesus well is because we choose to struggle against following Jesus well. It’s not the following that’s hard, it’s the fighting against the following.
“Come to me, all you who are struggling hard and carrying heavy loads, and I will give you rest. Put on my yoke, and learn from me. I’m gentle and humble. And you will find rest for yourselves. My yoke is easy to bear, and my burden is light.”
-Matthew 11:28-30 CEB
Now, perhaps you’re thinking, “But if I give up all control to God, He will send me to some far-off land to be a missionary in a primitive village.” Well, maybe He will. Certainly, that is the path the Lord has for some people. Or He might just leave you where you are now and change very little externally while giving you more and more opportunities to love Him and others well right there. I don’t know. My guess is His plan for you is somewhere in between those two extremes.
Even so, the easiest path in being a Jesus follower is in choosing to follow without question.
Let me give you just three examples of why following Jesus in complete surrender is not only easier than struggling, but infinitely better.
Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need.
-Malachi 3:10 ESV
Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.
-James 1:17 NIV
A thief has only one thing in mind—he wants to steal, slaughter, and destroy. But I have come to give you everything in abundance, more than you expect—life in its fullness until you overflow!
-John 10:10 TPT
This is not prosperity gospel. This is not me, and certainly not the Bible, saying that God is going to make you wealthy with money beyond your wildest dreams. No, these are promises that when you follow Jesus without holding back, you can be sure He will take care of you. In fact, He made that very clear in Matthew 6.
Don’t worry and say, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear?’ The people who don’t know God keep trying to get these things, and your Father in heaven knows you need them. Seek first God’s kingdom and what God wants. Then all your other needs will be met as well.
-Matthew 6:31-33 NCV
It's not about money.
It’s About Trust
Here is the summary of everything else in this blog post. It’s easiest, and most rewarding, to be a Jesus follower when we fully trust in Jesus. And “fully trust” means we hold nothing back and do not struggle against Him or His will. Do you want it to be easier, far easier, to be a Jesus follower? Then just let go of the need to control your life and simply do what the Lord asks.
Trust and obey, for there's no other way to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.
-Trust and Obey, John H. Sammis and Daniel B. Towner
Now go. Go trust Him and do His will. There you will find His joy and the security you so greatly desire.
Feel free to reach out to me directly via our contact form.
Love you Jesus follower!
-Troy