We Don't Lack Ability, We Lack Incentive
“Nothing in the world is worth having or worth doing unless it means effort, pain, difficulty… I have never in my life envied a human being who led an easy life. I have envied a great many people who led difficult lives and led them well.” - Theodore Roosevelt This quote from Teddy Roosevelt has something implied within it: There is incredible value in pushing through hard situations in the right way. When we make it our goal to encounter difficulties with the end in mind, we will be much more likely to grow and become successful.
Unfortunately, a great many of us run into difficulties and do not push through. Or our energy peters out halfway and we call it quits. Whether it was learning how to paint, building a friendship with a difficult person, getting rid of anger issues, writing a book, or learning to play the guitar, we all run into a “wall.” That is, there is a moment where we come near the end of ourselves and we have two options: Give up, or push through.
[bctt tweet="We usually have what it takes, we just lack the incentive to make it to the other side." username="everetthill"]
What Incentive?
When thinking about work and incentive, we need turn no further than Paul’s letter to the church of Colossae (which is in modern-day Turkey): "Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ” (Colossians 3:23-24 ESV).
In this verse, we see that the incentive to work and grow is found in an indescribable reward that we will receive from God. Whether in this veiled reality or in our much more tangible existence in eternity, we will be given rewards based on what we did with what we were given.
This of course does not conflict with the message of salvation, which says that when we trust in Jesus, we are loved regardless of what we do. Our desire to work is the natural offspring of that wonderful gift of salvation. We have been given the ultimate gift, and it is now our pleasure to give to others. If that wasn’t enough, we have an added incentive to do it for an incredible reward! When I meditate on this idea, I get such a profound realization that God just loves to give.
Where Do We Go From Here?
It is not enough to have the ability to do something. We must build within ourselves a deep connection with God that overflows into rejoicing. We then have the incentive to break through whatever wall we are meant to tackle because we are both loved and inspired by the reward we will receive. If we keep looking to our reward in God, nothing will be able to stop us
Check out some more posts on this topic here.
Question: What are some ways you’ve found to keep yourself motivated even in the hard times? Comment below: