“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”
— John 16:33
“This is what hard feels like.”
— Alex Hormozi
FAVOR, OBSCURITY, AND UNEXPECTED BLESSINGS
A few weekends back, my family and I went to see David, the new animated film by Angel Studios. I am sure that many of you have seen it, but if you haven’t seen it yet, I’d highly recommend you go. Take your kids. Take your spouse. Go with eyes open and a heart ready.
It’s a story many of us are familiar with. One of the most read and popular in all of scripture. David the shepherd boy, the giant-slayer, the man after God’s own heart. But the beauty of the film is that it spends much of the time in the middle years. The in-between. The wilderness. The years after the anointing and before the crown.
Amidst David’s wrestling with the Lord in his obscurity he uses a line that has really sat with me ever since. He says something along the lines of:
“I didn’t expect God’s favor to feel this way.”
Personally, I haven’t been able to shake it. It puts words to a tension most of us feel but don’t quite know how to name. The tension between calling and hardship. Between obedience and pain. Between what God promised and what the reality of our life actually feels like day in and day out.
A HELPFUL REFRAME
A few years ago I came across a story from Alex Hormozi. Not exactly your typical Sunday school theologian, but it stuck with me nonetheless. It’s a very popular video I am sure many of you have seen where he tells a story from his time leading a fraternity.
Each year, the new pledges would start out eager, hopeful, and excited. In some ways they were wanted and being courted as pledges to the fraternity that would help build their future. But soon after they pledged, they’d begin to feel burned out, frustrated, used, and worn thin.
They’d call a meeting and voice their complaints which always included something along the lines of: “This is harder than we expected.”
His response was simple.
“Did you expect this to be easy?”
They’d quickly answer “No” to which he replied,
“Great, well this is what hard feels like.”
There is something powerful about taking vague discomfort and giving it a name. It doesn’t downplay the pain, it just helps locate it and orient yourself to it.
For me, that concept began to evolve into a new phrase in my walk with the Lord. When things are difficult and my soul is growing weary, I find myself reframing my thoughts with this phrase:
“This is what faithfulness feels like.”
It’s not always ease, or applause, or adrenaline. But often holy difficulty. A sacred burden. A quiet obedience.
I’ve said it in these newsletters before, but these past few years have been the most difficult stretch of my life. Personally. Spiritually and Emotionally.
I’ve had seasons where everything felt like momentum. Where I operated with clarity and joy seemed to flow freely. But lately, I’ve found myself needing that reminder often. Typically daily if I am being honest.
“This is what faithfulness feels like.”
It feels like showing up when you’re not sure it’s working. It feels like standing firm in convictions when others misunderstand you. It feels like pouring out when you feel dry. It feels like saying yes when everything in you wants to say no.
And what I have found is that somewhere in the middle of all that…God is near.
OBEDIENCE ISN'T ALWAYS PEACEFUL
Let’s be honest, somewhere along the way, we’ve started associating “God’s will” with “peaceful feelings.”
As if calling should come with comfort. As if obedience should feel like ease. As if favor always shows up in our favorite ways.
But if we truly examine scripture, it tells a different story.
David was anointed and then hunted. Joseph was favored and then imprisoned. Esther was chosen and then risked her life. Jesus was beloved and then crucified.
God’s favor isn’t fragile. His presence doesn’t preclude pressure. And sometimes the clearest confirmation that you’re exactly where God wants you is the difficulty that ultimately leads to your dependence on Him.
So friends, maybe you’re there right now.
Standing In the gap.
Somewhere between the promise and the payoff. The calling and the clarity. What God has whispered and what you’ve yet to see come to pass.
Maybe you’re exhausted. Maybe you’re discouraged. Maybe you’re secretly wondering if any of it matters.
Friends…This is what faithfulness feels like.
It’s what it felt like for David, crouching in caves after being crowned. It’s what it felt like for Paul, writing letters in chains. It’s what it felt like for Jesus, sweating blood in the garden.
And it’s what it will feel like for you when you say yes to what God is asking.
A FINAL CHARGE
If you’re in a season that feels heavy, please don’t flee. If you’re obeying and still feel tension, don’t assume you missed it. If you're not sure your sacrifice is doing anything, remember:
Faithfulness has never been about feeling.
It’s about alignment. Obedience. Surrender.
So here’s the charge this week:
Don’t quit because it’s hard. Don’t wait for applause to keep going. Don’t confuse difficulty with distance from God. Don’t mistake silence for absence.
The praise of heaven isn’t reserved for the most impressive, it’s reserved for the faithful.
The Father still sees in secret. Still strengthens the weary. No good thing does he withhold from those who walk uprightly.
This is what faithfulness feels like.
Walk in it. Rest in it. And one day, look back and realize…It was worth it.
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