Do It Scared - You Can Do Hard Things

The Check In #2 | Life Through the Lens of Scripture

Samone Johnson | Founder, Rapha Restored

Have you ever looked at something you needed to accomplish and immediately started thinking of every possible reason why you couldn't do it? It happens to me a lot! Maybe you weren't qualified enough, maybe the task seemed too difficult, maybe you were afraid of failing, or perhaps you were just plain tired of doing hard things. I get it because sometimes I want the EASY assignment and not the one I have in front of me! 😂

I want the doors to open without having to knock repeatedly. I want the answers without the uncertainty, and I would LOVE, for once, to accomplish something without wrestling with every possible scenario my mind can manufacture. This past week, I had to come to terms with something... Just because something is difficult doesn't mean I'm incapable of doing it. Just because I'm afraid doesn't mean I shouldn't move forward.

When Doing Hard Things Get All Up in Your Business

I've been reflecting on perseverance lately, particularly when it comes to accomplishing personal goals and walking through seasons that require more of me than I sometimes feel prepared to give. If I'm keeping it 💯 ... sometimes I'm tired of having to push through every difficult situation. I know I can accomplish difficult things. I've done them before, but knowing you've overcome challenges in the past doesn't necessarily make the next one any less intimidating. Sometimes I look at what's ahead and think, "Lord, we're doing this AGAIN?"

Then there's the whole recognition thing... Let's be real... It feels good when someone acknowledges your accomplishments. When you've worked hard, sacrificed time, pushed through frustration, and finally achieved something, a little celebration would be nice! I'm not asking for a parade down Main Street or popped bottles, but a little confetti wouldn't hurt! 😂 Maybe a 'hey girl, that's cool!'

However, I've been learning that I can't let the absence of applause determine the value of my accomplishments or my obedience to God. Sometimes nobody is going to celebrate with you; it is what it is! Nobody may understand what it took for you to get to the finish line, and sometimes the only person who knows how hard you fought to accomplish something is you. Well, you and Yahweh! So I'm learning that His approval matters far more than the recognition I hope to receive from others, especially those who claim to be close to me. (Insert dramatic cough, lol!)

Seeking First His Kingdom

One Scripture that has challenged me lately is Matthew 6:33, where Jesus teaches us to seek first God's kingdom and His righteousness. I've read that passage countless times, but this week I started thinking about how much energy I spend worrying about outcomes. Will this work? Will I succeed? Will all this effort actually amount to something? Will somebody PLEASE recognize that I'm out here trying my best?! 😂

Yet, what if I've been so focused on the outcome that I'm overlooking what God is teaching me through the process? In Matthew 6, Jesus addresses the anxieties of everyday life and reminds His followers that their heavenly Father knows what they need. He redirects their attention toward God's kingdom and righteousness. That's what I needed to remember this week.

My responsibility isn't to control every outcome. It's to seek Yahweh, walk according to His Word, exercise wisdom, and remain faithful in what He's placed before me. That doesn't mean everything will happen the way I want. Trust me, I've submitted a few suggestions to the Lord that apparently weren't approved! 😂 It does mean I can trust His wisdom above my own, and that takes off a lot of the pressure.

Perseverance Isn't Always Pretty

James 1:2–4 reminds us that the testing of our faith produces endurance, and endurance contributes to our spiritual maturity. Now, I don't know about you, but I would prefer to develop endurance without having to endure so much! Can we get the spiritual growth without the character-building exercises, please? 😂 Too bad that's not how perseverance works.

Sometimes perseverance looks like getting up and trying again after yesterday didn't go as planned. Sometimes it's having a difficult conversation when you'd rather avoid it. Sometimes it's putting down the pride and accepting the 'no'. Sometimes it's continuing to work toward a goal when progress feels painfully slow, and sometimes it's doing the right thing when nobody is watching, cheering, or offering encouragement. Integrity is always key!

This week reminded me to stop measuring my progress solely by what I've accomplished and start recognizing what God is developing in me. Am I becoming more patient? More disciplined? More humble? Am I learning to trust Him when I cannot see the outcome? Those things matter, too, and they matter even when nobody else notices.

Do It Scared!

One of my favorite reminders comes from Joshua 1:9, when Yahweh commands Joshua to be strong and courageous as he prepares to lead Israel. Joshua had an enormous responsibility ahead of him, but his confidence wasn't supposed to rest in his own abilities. It was grounded in God's presence and promises. Now, I'm certainly not leading the Israelites into the Promised Land. Half the time, I'm just trying to lead myself to the finish line without overthinking everything! 😂 But there's a principle worth remembering!

Courage doesn't always mean you're fearless. Sometimes it means refusing to let fear make your decisions, and let me clarify something. Doing it scared doesn't mean being reckless, ignoring wisdom, or assuming every idea that pops into our heads came directly from God.

Please, let's use some discernment and don't be lying on my name, saying I told you to do it that way, because 'No ma'am, No sir!', I didn't lol!

When we've prayed, sought wisdom, examined our motives, and determined that something aligns with God's Word, we shouldn't automatically retreat simply because it's difficult. Romans 8:28 reminds us that God works all things together for good for those who love Him and are called according to His purpose. That doesn't guarantee my preferred outcome. The next verse points us to God's purpose: to conform us to the image of Christ, and honestly, that's what I'm learning to appreciate.

God is concerned with more than my accomplishments. He's concerned with who I'm becoming. So I'm learning to do the hard things, even when I'm uncertain. To celebrate my accomplishments, even when nobody else does. I'm learning to keep moving forward without demanding reassurance at every step, and most importantly, to remember that I don't have to accomplish everything in my own strength.

Philippians 4:11–13 reminds me that Christ strengthens us to endure both abundance and need. Sometimes that strength helps us accomplish something difficult. Other times, it helps us remain faithful when things don't turn out the way we hoped. Either way, I'm learning to depend on Him.

So before you go... Maybe you've been putting something off because you're afraid. Maybe you've convinced yourself that you're not educated enough, experienced enough, talented enough, or capable enough, or maybe you're waiting for somebody to tell you that you're ready.

Friend, I get it! But here's what I want you to consider... If you've prayerfully examined what you're pursuing, sought wisdom, and determined that your next step aligns with God's Word, don't let fear alone keep you standing still. Take the class. Write the book. Have the conversation. Apply for the opportunity. Start working toward that goal, and please, celebrate your small victories along the way.

You don't need an audience to acknowledge your progress. You don't need everybody to understand your journey, and you certainly don't need to have everything figured out before taking the next faithful step. Seek first the kingdom, trust Yahweh with the outcome, and remember that your worth isn't measured by applause, accomplishments, or how quickly you reach the finish line.

Do it scared. You can do hard things through Christ who strengthens you. I tell my kids that all the time, and now I'm telling it to myself. If you're still trying to figure it all out, just know you're not doing it alone. ❤️

The Check In Takeaway: Perseverance isn't about proving how strong you are or receiving recognition for your accomplishments. It's about remaining faithful to Yahweh, even when the journey is difficult. Seek His kingdom first, take the next step in faith, and trust Him with the results.

Scripture to Reflect On: Matthew 6:33; James 1:2–4; Joshua 1:9; Romans 8:28–29; Philippians 4:11–13 (NASB 2020)

Until the next check in, you have my love and prayers.

Samone

Founder, Rapha Restored