How to Follow Jesus When the Path Feels Hard

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📖 Following the Way of Jesus: Choosing the Hard Path That Leads to Life

Deny Yourself, Take Up Your Cross, and Follow Him

Have you ever felt like the Christian life is harder than you expected? You’re not alone. Many believers wrestle with the tension between faith and everyday struggle. You want to follow Jesus, but the road feels steep. You love Him, yet the world pulls you in the opposite direction. If that’s where you are, this post is for you.

I’ve been walking with Jesus long enough to know that discipleship isn’t easy. But I’ve also seen the joy, peace, and purpose that only come from following Him fully. In this article, we’ll explore what it really means to follow the way of Jesus, especially when the path is painful. You’ll learn how to deny yourself, carry your cross, and walk in the power of God’s promises.

Let’s begin by identifying the problem we often ignore: we want Jesus and comfort. But true discipleship calls for surrender. Let’s walk through that together.

What Does It Mean to Follow Jesus?

To follow Jesus means more than saying a prayer or going to church on Sunday. It means becoming a disciple—a learner, a follower, someone who shapes their life around His example.

Jesus never said the way would be easy. In fact, He made it clear in Luke 9:23:

“Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.”

That verse isn’t just poetic. It’s practical. Denying yourself means choosing God’s will when your feelings say otherwise. It means letting go of your pride, opinions, and desires to follow a greater purpose.

Why Self-Denial Is So Hard (But So Necessary)

It’s easy to believe we know what’s best for our lives. We chase success, comfort, pleasure, and approval. But Jesus invites us to a better way, a harder but holier path.

When we deny ourselves, we say:

“God, your plan is better than mine.”
“Jesus, you are Lord over my decisions, not just my Sundays.”
“Holy Spirit, help me walk in love even when it hurts.”

Self-denial isn’t about self-hate. It’s about trusting the One who gave everything for us. And when we surrender, we gain something the world cannot offer: eternal life and inner peace.

Carrying the Cross: A Daily Decision

Taking up your cross doesn’t mean suffering for suffering’s sake. It means being willing to lose things for the sake of Christ your comfort, your reputation, your control.

Let’s be honest: we all carry something. Some carry guilt. Others carry worry. Jesus calls us to carry a cross, a symbol of dying to ourselves.

For example:

You might choose not to gossip, even when it would make you feel accepted.
You may forgive someone who never apologized, just like Jesus did for us.
You might say “no” to something that feels good in the moment but distances you from God.

This is what discipleship looks like in real life. It’s not just what you say. It’s how you live.

The Paradox of Losing and Gaining Your Life

Jesus said in Matthew 16:25:

“Whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it.”

That sounds upside-down, but it’s the way of the Kingdom.

When you give Jesus your plans, He gives you His peace. When you surrender your pride, He replaces it with purpose. When you stop chasing your own way, you finally find the way that leads to life.

This is the mystery and beauty of the Gospel. You lose to gain. You surrender to receive.

Practical Steps to Live as a Disciple Today

Now that we know what it means to follow the way of Jesus, how can we start living it daily?

Here are some practical steps:

Start with Prayer – Ask God to help you want what He wants.
Read the Gospels Regularly – Watch how Jesus lived, loved, and served.
Make Daily Decisions for Christ – Choose what honors God, not what feels easiest.
Surround Yourself with Disciples – Walk with others who encourage your faith.
Stay Accountable – Be honest with someone you trust about your struggles.

Take the Discipleship Check-In

📝 Quiz: How Are You Following Jesus Today?
Take a minute and answer these quick questions:

What’s one area of your life where you struggle to deny yourself?
Are there any crosses you’ve been avoiding?
How often do you spend time reading the words of Jesus?
Do your daily choices reflect your commitment to Christ?
What’s one step you can take today to live more like Jesus?

👉 Share your answers in the comments or journal them privately. Your journey matters.

Final Encouragement: Keep Going

Following Jesus is not a one-time decision, it’s a daily one. Some days, it feels like a gentle walk. Other days, it feels like a steep climb. But every step taken in obedience is worth it.

So don’t give up. Don’t let discouragement win. Keep denying yourself. Keep picking up your cross. Keep walking in the way of Jesus. In doing so, you’ll not only find life, you’ll reflect His life to the world around you.

“Christ in you, the hope of glory.” — Colossians 1:27

🗳️ Quick Poll:

What’s the hardest part of following Jesus right now?

Staying consistent
Denying myself
Facing rejection
Trusting God’s timing
Other (comment below)

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