Doing The Right Thing When It is Hard

Good day, brothers and sisters in Christ. Today, we will be talking about doing the right thing, especially when it is hard. We all face difficult situations where doing the right thing is not easy, but we must remember that we are called to be people of integrity, honesty, and righteousness. So, let us begin with a funny story to lighten the mood.

Once, there was a man who was driving his car along a deserted road when he saw a group of men robbing a bank. He quickly called the police, who arrived just in time to catch the robbers. Later, he was asked how he managed to stay so calm during the incident. He replied, "Well, it was either that or have my wife find out that I wasn't really at work!"

All jokes aside, doing the right thing is not always easy, but it is always worth it. In Proverbs 21:3, we are told that "to do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice." This means that God values our actions more than our words or offerings. He desires that we live a life that is pleasing to Him, and that means doing what is right, even when it is difficult.

Let us take a look at some examples from the Bible where people did the right thing, even in the face of adversity.

First, we have the story of Joseph in the book of Genesis. He was sold into slavery by his own brothers and was later falsely accused of a crime and thrown into prison. However, he remained faithful to God and continued to do the right thing. Eventually, he was released from prison and became the second-in-command in Egypt, where he was able to save his family from a severe famine. Joseph's story shows us that even when life is difficult, we must trust in God and continue to do what is right.

Next, we have the story of Daniel in the book of Daniel. He was taken captive by the Babylonians and was forced to serve in the king's court. However, he refused to compromise his faith and continued to pray to God, even when it was illegal to do so. As a result, he was thrown into a den of lions, but God miraculously saved him. Daniel's story shows us that we must remain faithful to God, even when it is difficult, and that He will always protect us.

Another example is the story of Esther in the book of Esther. She was chosen to be the queen of Persia and was faced with a difficult decision when she learned of a plot to kill all the Jews in the kingdom. Even though it was risky, she chose to speak up and saved her people from destruction. Esther's story shows us that sometimes doing the right thing requires courage and boldness, but God will always be with us when we take a stand for righteousness.

In the New Testament, we have the story of Jesus. He was betrayed, falsely accused, and crucified, yet He remained faithful to His mission and purpose. He knew that the right thing was to give His life as a sacrifice for the sins of the world, and He did so willingly. Jesus' story shows us that doing the right thing may come at a great cost, but it is always worth it in the end.

Let us now look at some applicable verses that can guide us in doing the right thing, even when it is hard:

Proverbs 3:5-6 - "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight." When we trust in God and submit to His will, He will guide us in doing what is right.

Galatians 6:9 - "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." It can be easy to become discouraged when doing the right thing seems hard, but we must persevere and trust that God will reward us in due time.

James 1:22 - "Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says." We must not just hear the teachings of the Bible, but we must put them into practice and do what is right.

Ephesians 4:25 - "Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body." Honesty and integrity are essential components of doing what is right, and we must always strive to speak the truth and act with integrity.

Matthew 5:44 - "But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you." Doing the right thing sometimes means loving and forgiving those who have wronged us, even when it is difficult.

Doing the right thing also requires us to be accountable to ourselves and to others. We need to have the courage to admit when we have made mistakes and take responsibility for our actions. It is important to seek forgiveness when we have wronged someone and to make amends when possible.

In conclusion, doing the right thing is not always easy, but it is always worth it. We must trust in God and remain faithful to His teachings, even when it is difficult. We can find inspiration in the stories of Joseph, Daniel, Esther, and Jesus, who all chose to do the right thing, no matter the cost. Let us strive to live a life of honesty, integrity, and righteousness, and always remember the words of Proverbs 21:3, "To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice."

As we close this service, I invite anyone who has not yet accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior to come forward and make that decision today. May we all continue to seek God's guidance in doing what is right, and may we always remember that He is with us every step of the way. Amen.