Choose Your Hard: A Call to Men

Practical Steps for Faithful Living

Life presents us with unavoidable difficulties. As men called to lead our families, serve our communities, and honor Christ, we face choices daily that shape not only our character but the lives of those we influence. The world promises easy paths that lead to harder consequences, but Scripture calls us to choose wisely—embracing the right kind of hard work that leads to blessing and growth.

Let's examine each area where men must "choose their hard" and explore practical steps for walking faithfully through these challenges.

Marriage Is Hard. Divorce Is Hard. Choose Your Hard.

Marriage demands sacrifice, humility, and perseverance. It’s not easy to love your wife as Christ loves the church (Ephesians 5:25), but the pain of divorce—broken vows, fractured families, and spiritual wounds—is also real. Men are called to pursue reconciliation, forgiveness, and steadfast love, trusting that God’s grace is sufficient for every trial (1 Corinthians 7:10-11). The “hard” of marriage is a crucible for sanctification; the “hard” of divorce is a wound that lingers. Choose the path that honors your vows and seeks restoration.

The Biblical Foundation "To the married I give this command (not I, but the Lord): A wife must not separate from her husband... And a husband must not divorce his wife" (1 Corinthians 7:10-11). Marriage is God's design for displaying Christ's love for the church (Ephesians 5:25-33).

The Reality Marriage requires daily death to self, constant communication, and the humility to ask forgiveness. Divorce brings financial devastation, emotional trauma to children, and often decades of regret and broken relationships.

Practical Applications:

• Daily Prayer Together: Start or end each day praying with your wife, even if it's just two minutes
• Weekly Date Nights: Protect time for meaningful conversation without children or distractions
• Conflict Resolution: Learn to fight fair—address issues without attacking character, and always seek resolution before bedtime
• Serve Her Daily: Look for one way each day to serve your wife without being asked
• Get Counseling Early: Don't wait until crisis hits—preventive counseling strengthens good marriages
• Study Marriage: Read books like "Love and Respect" by Emerson Eggerichs or attend marriage conferences annually

Choose the hard work of loving leadership over the devastation of a broken covenant.

Obesity Is Hard. Being Fit Is Hard. Choose Your Hard.

Our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). Neglecting health leads to long-term hardship—fatigue, disease, and discouragement. But discipline, self-control, and regular exercise also require effort and sacrifice (1 Corinthians 9:25-27). As men, we’re called to steward our strength to serve our families and communities. Choose the “hard” that builds resilience and honors God with your body.

The Biblical Foundation "Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit?" (1 Corinthians 6:19). "Every athlete exercises self-control in all things" (1 Corinthians 9:25-27).

The Reality Poor health limits your ability to serve your family and fulfill your calling. Maintaining fitness requires discipline, time, and often saying no to immediate pleasures for long-term strength.

Practical Applications:

• Start Small: Begin with 15-minute walks three times a week rather than overwhelming yourself
• Meal Prep Sundays: Spend an hour preparing healthy meals for the week
• Find an Accountability Partner: Work out with another man who will challenge and encourage you
• Track Your Progress: Use simple metrics—weight, push-ups completed, or miles walked
• Replace Bad Habits: Instead of eliminating everything, replace soda with water, TV time with gym time
• Set Faith-Based Goals: Train your body to better serve others—whether playing with your kids or serving in ministry
• Fast Regularly: Practice biblical fasting to develop self-control over food

Choose the hard work of discipline over the harder consequences of poor health.

Being in Debt Is Hard. Being Financially Disciplined Is Hard. Choose Your Hard.

Financial stress can crush a man’s spirit and hinder his ability to provide (Proverbs 22:7). Yet, living within your means, budgeting, and saying “no” to fleeting pleasures is its own challenge. Scripture calls us to be faithful stewards of what God provides (Luke 16:10-11). Choose the “hard” of discipline over the bondage of debt, trusting that God rewards faithfulness, not extravagance.

The Biblical Foundation "The borrower is slave to the lender" (Proverbs 22:7). "Whoever is faithful in very little is also faithful in much" (Luke 16:10).

The Reality Debt creates stress, limits your ability to give generously, and often prevents you from pursuing God's calling. Financial discipline requires saying no to wants and carefully managing every dollar.

Practical Applications:

• Create a Written Budget: Track every dollar coming in and going out monthly
• Emergency Fund First: Save $1,000 as quickly as possible before paying extra on debt
• Debt Snowball Method: List all debts smallest to largest, pay minimums on all, throw extra money at the smallest
• Increase Income: Take on side work, sell unused items, or develop new skills for promotion
• Automatic Giving: Set up automatic transfers for tithing and savings before you can spend it
• Cash Envelopes: Use cash for categories where you overspend (entertainment, dining out)
• Financial Education: Read "The Total Money Makeover" by Dave Ramsey or attend Financial Peace University
• Teach Your Children: Model good stewardship and teach kids about money management early

Choose the hard work of delayed gratification over the bondage of financial stress.

Starting a Business Is Hard. Working a 9 to 5 Job Is Hard. Choose Your Hard.

Whether you’re building something from scratch or faithfully working a steady job, both paths are demanding. Entrepreneurship brings risk and uncertainty; employment can feel monotonous or limiting. The Reformed doctrine of vocation teaches that all honest work is sacred (Colossians 3:23-24). Choose the “hard” that aligns with your gifts and calling, knowing that God is glorified in your diligence, whether you lead a company or serve in the workforce.

The Biblical Foundation "Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men" (Colossians 3:23). "All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty" (Proverbs 14:23).

The Reality Entrepreneurship offers freedom and potential reward but demands risk, long hours, and uncertainty. Employment provides stability but can feel limiting and often lacks the satisfaction of building something meaningful.

Practical Applications for Employees:

• Excel Where You Are: Become indispensable by consistently delivering excellent work
• Develop Skills: Use company training opportunities or pursue education on your own time
• Build Relationships: Network within and outside your company for future opportunities
• Side Hustles: Develop additional income streams while maintaining employment
• Serve Others: Look for ways to help colleagues and add value beyond your job description

Practical Applications for Entrepreneurs:

• Start While Employed: Test your business idea while you have steady income
• Save 6-12 Months Expenses: Build a cushion before leaving steady employment
• Find Mentors: Connect with successful business owners who share your values
• Plan for Failure: Have an exit strategy and timeline for profitability
• Maintain Work-Life Balance: Don't sacrifice family for business success
• Seek Wise Counsel: Include other believers in major business decisions

Choose work that aligns with your gifts and calling, whether that's faithful employment or entrepreneurial ventures.

Life Will Never Be Easy, But You Can Choose Your Hard.

Scripture never promises an easy life, but it does promise God’s presence in every trial (2 Timothy 2:3; Romans 8:28). As men, we are not defined by the ease of our circumstances, but by our faithfulness in the midst of hardship. Every “hard” is an opportunity for God to shape us into the image of Christ.

The Biblical Foundation "Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God" (Acts 14:22). "Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus" (2 Timothy 2:3).

The Reality Every path involves struggle, but choosing the right struggles shapes you into the man God calls you to be. Avoiding necessary hardship only leads to harder consequences later.

Practical Applications:

• Daily Disciplines: Establish non-negotiable habits of prayer, Bible reading, and physical exercise
• Weekly Planning: Take time each week to review priorities and plan for upcoming challenges
• Monthly Evaluation: Assess progress in key areas—spiritual growth, marriage, health, finances
• Annual Goals: Set specific, measurable goals for each major area of life
• Find Your Tribe: Surround yourself with men who will challenge you to grow in godliness
• Embrace Discomfort: Regularly do things that stretch you—whether physical challenges, new responsibilities, or difficult conversations
• Long-term Thinking: Make decisions based on where you want to be in 10 years, not 10 minutes

Choose Wisely—And Trust Christ

The "hard" you choose today determines the man you become tomorrow. Every decision is an opportunity to trust God's wisdom over worldly comfort, to pursue holiness over happiness, and to invest in eternal rewards rather than temporary pleasures.

Remember: "For when I am weak, then I am strong" (2 Corinthians 12:10). Your strength comes not from avoiding difficulty but from facing it with Christ's power. God uses the very struggles you embrace to conform you to the image of His Son.

Choose your hard. Choose wisely. Choose with eternity in mind.

Original Poem for Reference

"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.

Starting a business is hard. Working a 9 to 5 job is hard. Choose your hard.

Life will never be easy, but you can choose your hard.

Choose wisely!"