Do Hard Divinely Better — Romans 1–6

Come, Follow Me: New Testament 2023 (August 7–13)

At what age does life get easier? Is it 18 when you leave high school? Maybe it’s 25 after you finish your education and mission? Could it be 65 when you retire? Kara Lawson, the Duke Women’s Basketball Head Coach and star athlete gave her players a pep talk about handling the hard things in life and I think she answers the question perfectly, “We wait for life to get easier”, Lawson told her Duke team, “But life never gets easier. What happens is you handle hard better.” 

Doing hard better means accepting there will always be trials and tribulations and from each one, we gain experience. This experience can teach us, if we choose, new skills and new ways of becoming. It also tests us to ensure we are learning and growing. 

Paul taught this truth as he explained, “And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also; know that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us” (Romans 5:3-5).

So important are hard times in our life, Paul entreats us to glory in them! That’s doing hard not just better, but divinely better. 

“Sometimes we will face things for which there is no earthly explanation. In those moments we need to erect a sign that reads, ‘Quiet: God at Work.’ Meanwhile, hold on, child of God. Keep believing. Don’t quit. Don’t give up. Let God do His work in you. The greatest tragedy is to miss what God wants to teach us through our troubles” (Ray Pritchard, Why Did This Happen to Me? (2003), 57, quoted by Bradley Foster in March 2014 Ensign).

The next time you’re doing hard, hang your sign, “Quiet: God at Work.” Then let patience, hope, the Holy Ghost, and the love of God help you discover your glint of glory.