grace given me

Last week I was reminded of the saying: Choose your hard. It’s a concept that originated from a poem by Devon Brough, but has gone viral in recent years. The poem says,

“Marriage is hard. Divorce is hard. Choose your hard. 
Obesity is hard. Being fit is hard. Choose your hard. 
Being in debt is hard. Being financially disciplined is hard. Choose your hard. 
Communication is hard. Not communicating is hard. Choose your hard.” 

The premise is that life always presents difficulties; we must decide which set of struggles we are willing to face. It awakens us to actively participate in our choices, to take responsibility instead of slipping into victimhood. It urges us to choose the hard path that aligns with our goals and growth, rather than the easier path of avoidance that often leads to regret, poor health, and unfulfilled potential.

As I reflected on the saying, I decided to use it as a prompt to name some of my “hards.” Rather than succumbing to fear or feeling stuck, I wanted to flip my perspective and see them differently. For me, the process looks like this:

1. Acknowledging the situations, truths, or feelings I wrestle with.
2. Flipping them by considering the other side.
3. Walking out the chosen path with God’s help.

Here are a few of mine:

• The disruption of AI in my work. The rapid evolution and integration of artificial intelligence in marketing can feel overwhelming when I am not (yet) an AI expert.
  • Learning AI is hard. Not learning AI and getting left behind is hard. I choose to learn AI.
  • “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.” – James 1:5
• A challenging leader in my work environment. It is not easy to honor someone who doesn’t always understand or respect my work or me.
  • Honoring a difficult person is hard. Living with bitterness is hard. I choose honor, forgiveness, and peace.
  • “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” – Romans 12:18
• My kids leaving the nest. With one attending college out of state and the other studying abroad, I sometimes feel helpless and distant.
  • Letting my kids spread their wings is hard. Trying to restrain what they see and do in the world is hard. I choose a healthy release, trusting God with them.
  • “Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.” – Proverbs 22:6
• Marriage. Two imperfect people doing life together every day can be both beautiful and challenging.
  • Marriage is hard. Strife that leads to separation and division is hard. I choose to keep surrendering and loving.
  • “Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.” – Ephesians 5:21
• Prioritizing God. Life is busy, distracting, and full of entertainment. It can easily pull us away from spending time with God.
  • Walking with God and yielding to his will is hard. The consequences of rebellion, selfishness, and pride are hard. I choose his hope and power.
  • “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” – Matthew 6:33

What are some of yours? Can you acknowledge them, lay them before God, and let him show you the other side? Without acknowledgement, we remain stuck in denial. Naming what is hard doesn’t mean resignation—it means gaining clarity, taking responsibility, and working with God toward solutions. 

If you feel a vague anxiety you can’t quite put your finger on, it may be the enemy trying to keep you stuck in the swirl. He thrives in ambiguity. He knows that if you can’t—or won’t—acknowledge it, then you can’t move forward. Take the time to sit with God. Ask him to show you. He will speak truth. John 8:32 reminds us: “You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

Lord, thank you for making us in your image and giving us so many gifts—minds to think through challenges, courage to act, and your hope and love to lean on. Bring to our consciousness the areas where we are living as victims instead of victors. Give us discipline to choose the paths that lead to growth. Convict us gently when we are avoiding the hard things that matter most. You are good, always faithful, and always for us. Amen.