Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour.
John 12:27

By choosing hard and difficult things instead of nice and easy things you will make yourself a natural leader. Most people choose nice and easy things. That is why most people are on the broad and easy way that leads to Hell.

If you choose things that are hard and difficult instead of things that are nice and easy, you will move forward very rapidly in life. A leader needs to move forward so that he can be one step ahead. It is only when you are a step-ahead that you are truly a leader.

Many of the things that will take you forward in life are hard and difficult to do. Yet, these are the most important things for you. Prayer is one of these things. Bible study is one of the important things you need to do. Fasting is an important habit that every Christian should cultivate. Yet these are things we all do not like doing. A true leader can make people do these very things. I often lead my people into fasting and prayer. It is difficult for me, and it is difficult for them. Yet we do it! How am I able to make hundreds of people fast and pray for several gruelling hours? By doing it myself and letting them see me do it!

Seven Hard and Difficult Things You Must Do to Stay Ahead
1. Have a daily quiet time.
2. Read the Bible every day.
3. Pray for hours every day.
4. Fast regularly.
5. Learn things that are new to you.

In the ministry, I have had to learn new things that I was not naturally inclined to. It is doing some of these difficult things that have taken me forward. For instance, going into the healing ministry was probably one of the most difficult things I have ever done. It was hard and difficult! But I am forever grateful I took those hard and difficult steps. The healing ministry has given me a level of visibility I would not have had without it. I see my ministry becoming more and more Christ-like because I took that hard and difficult step. Anytime I share about doing hard and difficult things, I always remember the healing ministry. It is not easy to pray for the sick, even after years of doing it.

6. Educate yourself constantly by reading books.
7. Obey whatever God tells you to do.

Obeying God is one of the most vital keys to moving forward. I cannot explain the power that is released when you obey God. Jesus Christ achieved his purpose by obeying God. It was hard and difficult, but he did it! It would have been nice and easy to stay in Heaven where he belonged. Jesus grimaced at the thought of obeying his instructions. Yet he composed himself. Notice the words of Jesus as he pondered on the cross that lay before him.

Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour.
John 12:27

Jesus steeled himself and resolved to go through with it. Decide to be like Jesus – choose what is hard and difficult rather than what is nice and easy and you will find yourself in a good place.

by Dag Heward-Mills