You Can Do Hard Things.

Hey y’all,

Let’s talk about that thing that keeps popping up in your head—the one that feels just a little too big, a little too unfamiliar, a little too... scary.

Whether it’s a new role, a bold decision, or a season of stretching, hard things have a way of showing up when we least expect them. And honestly? That’s where the magic happens.

This month, I want to encourage you with this truth: You can do hard things.

The Myth of "Knowing What You're Doing"

Let me tell you a secret: No one really knows what they’re doing when they start something new. We all start somewhere—clumsy, unsure, awkward. It’s the starting that counts. It’s putting one foot in front of the other, trusting that God goes with you, and reminding yourself: "I don’t have to be perfect. I just have to be faithful." I have to remind myself of this a lot. God requires my obedience, but the results are his problem.

Colossians 3:23 “Whatever you do, work with all your heart, as you were working for the Lord and not men.”

This verse has come up in my heart and mind a lot this month. I am going to work hard, with excellence, in all areas of my life. I will trust God to follow through on His side of things. Like I use to preach to kids in Sunday school for years… “Do your best and let God do the rest!”

Learning curves can make you feel like your brain is total mush– (like I needed any help in that department because “mom-brain” is so freaking real!) But here’s the thing: everything is figureoutable. Google, prayer, patience and a good night’s sleep will take you far.

Thoughtfulness in the Face of Difficulty

When life throws challenges your way (and it will), it's not about bulldozing through with blind determination. It’s about pausing, praying, and proceeding with godly wisdom. But you do have to do that “proceed” part! Keep moving forward.

God gave you a sound mind for a reason. He placed creativity, problem-solving, and discernment within you. When you feel intimidated, it doesn’t mean you’re unqualified. It might just mean you’re being invited to level up.

Here’s what I’m learning:

• Pray first. Bring it to God before you bring it to your group chat.

• Break it down. Big tasks are just small steps in a trench coat.

• Ask for help. Delegation and collaboration aren’t signs of weakness—they’re signs of maturity.

• 
  

Don't Say No Just Because It’s Hard

Some of the greatest growth in our lives happens on the other side of discomfort. Don’t let the fear of being inexperienced or overwhelmed rob you of the opportunities God is placing in front of you.

Hard doesn’t mean wrong. Uncomfortable doesn’t mean uncalled.

Say yes to growth. Say yes to the stretch. Say yes to becoming the kind of person who leads with excellence and faithfulness, even when the path is uncertain.

A dear friend is praying about some big moves in her life that she knows God is calling her to say yes to! They’re scary. They’re hard. But I know God will use these things to continue growing her in to the most Christ-like version of herself. I know her answer is yes, but she’s just trying to figure out the timing. Maybe that’s you, too. And if it is, I’m praying for you both!

SIDE NOTE: I am going back to school! I will begin the pursuit of my master’s degree in Executive Leadership from Liberty University starting Summer 2025! Wish me luck as I embark on a journey to another hard thing!

A Real-Life Story from My World

I recently took on an in-depth full-time role for a K-12th grade Christian school. I feel completely called to do so and believe God has been preparing me for many years for such a time as this, but that does not make this endeavor any less terrifying. The learning curve is STEEP! State compliance, policy and procedures, academic requirements, interviewing and hiring new staff, unresolved IT nightmares, and sometimes upset parents (the hardest). You-name-it and it has probably come up!

Every day a new challenge reaches my desk and I have the opportunity to embrace it with wisdom, patience and godliness and hope that my diligence and efforts to take on hard things are met with God’s ability to accomplish whatever is in His will.

Nothing is too little or too big for God to care about in my life or yours.

But I do know that avoiding the hard things is not an option. They have to be faced so the only option left is what approach can I take to solve it. Procrastination, negligence, and laziness is one option. Or I can find the courage to pursue excellence anyway and remember that everything I do is unto the Lord!

Something that has been monumentally helpful in my personal experience is making sure you’re not isolating yourself from people who want to support, resource and help you! Your team, your partner, your village, and your friends all matter and they want to help you do hard things well. Don’t be scared to ask for help when you feel you’re too far deep into a scary hole of unknown hard things.

Quick Check-In:

Here are some questions to reflect on this month:

• What hard thing have I been avoiding because I’m afraid to fail?

• Where have I already seen growth in a challenging area of my life?

• What’s one step I can take today that aligns with courage and godly wisdom?

Resource I’m Loving

This month, I’m finding encouragement in Hard is not the same thing as Bad. This book is written for moms and helps us navigate the perspective shift necessary to see daily trials as a way for us to grow into who God created us to be.

A Prayer for the Brave

Lord, thank You for equipping us with courage, wisdom, and grace for every challenge we face. You go before us! Help us to see difficulties as opportunities to grow into who You created us to be. Give us the confidence to take bold steps, the clarity to trust Your process, and the humility to ask for help when we need it. Amen.

You've got this. Not because you know everything, but because you're willing to show up anyway.

With grit and grace,

Monica Lynch