Is it okay to be bored with small hard things?

*Swooosh*

What was that? It’s a bird! It’s a plane!

No, it’s this discussion question going waaaay over my head and my ability to answer. =/ So I’m looking forward to seeing other people’s answers! =)

I completely understand this. I always felt kind of useless until God gave me a passion. Whether that passion will last, I don’t know but I hope so. My advice is continue to do the small things and pray and dwell in God’s word. I know that is the typical answer but it works. God has a plan for you but it might not be time for Him to reveal part of the picture yet. If you have a passion, ask God how you could use it for him. if you are like me and have no idea about what you are passionate about, try something new. Luke 16:10 – “If you are faithful in little things, you will be faithful in large ones. But if you are dishonest in little things, you won’t be honest with greater things.” Continue to be faithful and persevere. Sometimes hard things aren’t fun but doing them with our Father can sometimes really be fun.

Awesome response! Yep, that’s me too on this one!

I totally know what you mean! The big small hard things like school that you have to do and don’t want to do, are no fun at all (*ahem* School?)

But God has a perfect plan for you. He made the little hard things like school to teach you something.

God has this awesome habit of opening doors that you previously didn’t think could ever be opened. (such as big hard things)

I think its ok to press forward, but don’t force the hand of God. If God lays something on your heart, I think it’s ok to go for it. But make sure that it is God before you press forward to it.

Psalms 27:14 says, “Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD”

Another amazing verse is Isaiah 40:31, “But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.”

Wait for him to open the doors, but then don’t be afraid to walk through them when they are opened. 🙂

I think it is okay do be bored sometimes with hard things, I remember part of a book I read that may or may not be affiliated with this site 😉 said the hard things that don’t always have immediate results can sometimes be even harder than normal hard things (I’m paraphrasing there) You just have to keep doing them and eventually it’ll get better!

I know what this feels like! @Mary stole the Bible verse I was going to use: “One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much.” (Luke 16:10) One thought is that perhaps God is looking to see if you will be faithful in the small hard things so that He can give you the big hard things later down the road.
As for whether you should look for a big hard thing to do versus wait for God to bring it to you, I would say it’s probably a combination of both. First and foremost, pray for wisdom, guidance, and clear understanding of the Lord’s will. Then, go to your parents (or whatever strong Christian mentors are in your life). Tell them your concerns/thoughts, ask for advice, and pray with them for direction about where God might be taking you.
After that, be open to God’s leading. God might speak to you through the Bible, prayer, another person, an opportunity; who knows? I think it’s fine to seek out projects to participate in. Just make sure that you (and preferably your parents) feel that God has specifically called you to this before diving in. Also note that it could be quite some time before God chooses to speak clearly.
I’m quite inexperienced at life, so as usual, do take my advice with a grain of salt. 🙂

Yeppers 🙂 @ruthie_c:disqus. too 🙂

So maybe its just me or the way that I look at life, but I personally try to refrain from being bored or boring. Even when I do the mundane things, and the little day to day hard things in life, I like to be excited about it and find a way to enjoy it and see beauty in it. Now to be completely honest, I am definitely not perfect, so I often don’t find a lot of joy in reading another philosophy book for class (thus, my procrastination right now) or cleaning a bathroom etc., but at the same time I do want to enjoy it and see it as a gift from God and rejoice in my ability to do these small tasks that seem to have no importance. So I guess my first point is, that I try never to call any task, no matter how small or mundane it may be, boring. I guess I just don’t like that word. 😉 And maybe it also has to do with the fact that growing up if I ever told my dad I was bored than he was sure to give me lots of work to do, so I just have learned to avoid that word. 😉 We should do every little task for God’s glory and if we are really doing it for his glory than I don’t think it is possible for it to be boring.
Secondly, I know how it feels really wanting to do something big, but there never being anything that was just really big to do. Yet, I think one thing you can do is be praying that God would give you hard things to do and that when those hard things come (because they will, even if it is years down the road), that you would have the strength and courage to do it.
Lastly, sometimes doing hard things may mean sharing the gospel with some at the grocery store or out on the street or maybe just handing out tracks. These seem like small things, but I know for myself it was hard. I was scared to talk to a stranger or even to hand a stranger a track. I think doing the little things that arise from day to day life are the things that will prepare you for much bigger things to come. Not shrinking from the little tasks and doing them with a cheerful heart are ways in which you can change the world starting in your very own home. 😉
I am sorry. That turned out way to long, but I hope it is helpful in some way. These are just some things that I did or thought about growing up while wondering what my big hard thing was supposed to be.

Hi Laura! I can totally relate to how you feel about doing the small things.
My advice is don’t wait for God to give you a big hard thing to do. Look at every opportunity (whether it be big or small) as a way to please, honor and glorify our Father.
I am a freshman this year and started in a secular high school. It’s been hard, but God has been good. I had been making handmade recycled paper jewelry and knitted gloves and purses the entire summer and was ready to sell them. I was raising money in hopes of starting a ministry to support girls education in Rwanda. I was ready to do a big hard thing. But it didn’t happen.
Summer was over and I was going to be a freshman in high school. I was really upset, I got tired of going to school by the first quarter. I didn’t have any friends. I hated taking Biology and Algebra. I was going to major in social justice and international children’s rights in college and graphing parabolas and learning about evolution didn’t seem to be relevant to my future career.
I said to God one day “Why can’t you just send me to Rwanda? I want to serve you there God, not here in a classroom!” I looked ahead so much that overlooked the very fact that God had put me here in a classroom to serve Him. I blew past what God had in store for me, and demanded that He give me what I wanted for my future.
Wherever you are Laura, it isn’t coincidence. God has placed you there to bring honor and glory to His name.

I struggle with this sometimes too. I go to a public high school of over 2200 and I feel like if I didn’t show up no one would care. But the verse Jeremiah 29:7 says to, “[But] seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the LORD on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare.” Sometimes it’s difficult to pray for my city. I go into school knowing that I am there for a reason. God doesn’t randomly place anyone places. I smile and know that it is the only chance at that day. Once it is gone, it is gone. I’ve heard it said that you should strive to change one person’s day everyday. A simple note, smile, or a conversation with someone can really change someone’s perspective.

Jesus also weighs in in the parable of the talents. The man in the story gave his money in accordance to each servant’s ability. I am not saying you are unable or have little abliity. What I am saying is be faithful in what you have and are given. Prosper where you are. God made you for your lane and no one else’s lane. You have gifts that will be developed over time.

The little things add up. God will lay big tasks in front of us. Pray about everything, but don’t be afraid to actually do what He says. Sometimes you just have to venture out there- become a pen pal of nursing home residents, make cards for kids in the hospital, or become a leader of a club or organization. Everything adds up.

I hope this helps.

Great advice!!

Thought it sounded familiar! =)

Like Caleb and Kate said, that was very well put!

I just meant it sounded like something you would ask 🙂

I was thinking about this, this whole past month and year. My quote to share with you is this ” Dream big, Think Big. Start small.” And “the small things make up the big picture.” Apostale Paul made tents and preached the gospel. He was a profesional tent maker. Correct me if I’m wrong :). If it weren’t for him being in jail and doing Gods will we would not know him as a man of a Great God who worked through him to reach the gentiles. Peter and others also were family men. My point is that where we are planted is of God. It says so in Acts that God determined where we live and when in order that mankind would be saved and get to know the living God….From a personal standpoint I just went through a battle of Lyme disease thanks to God firstly for his creation and natural medicine, to brave doctors such as Greg Lee, activists, journalists and scientists and most of all Jesus Christ I am healed…. I thought ‘I must get this out right away!!!! I need to start speaking at conferences and playing sports to reach a bigger crowd maybe I’ll get to be on TV!’ haha I admit this all went through my mind…..God showed me in dreams I had it all wrong. As I focused on things, and ministry I walked away from him, my first love….I had forsaken prayer almost completely, prayer is a ‘declaration of dependence’ on God as Paul washer puts it; and thats what we desperately need, what I desperately need. As my efforts Mounted to nothing, my family I noticed was being blessed with a closenss we never had before, God was preparing and is preparing us for the coming of Jesus Christ, the family as David Wilkerson warned must be put in order. My family is still in the throngs of addiction and being worldly so I saw that right now is the time for me to be with my family and do my part: as a daughter, sister, and Aunt….I saw at work I needed to learn to be a Godly employee that pleases and works for the LORD not just for men’s approval …even after the LORD showed me my sin I still tried to hang on to self effort and self reliance, it got nowhere. I’ve written my testimony, made a google page and am still in the process of making a testimony vid for youtube…..so my point is, stop stressing that you are not doing enough. Rest in Jesus Christ in the knowledge that he is risen and has great love for you that nothing at all can separate. Let the peace of Christ rest in your heart always…Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not upon your own understanding. Bring everything to him. All you weaknesses, lil things you count unimportant, or trivial also bring big things that overwhelm you and remember to not be overwhelmed by evil but overcome evil with doing good….Every good thing you do counts… with your little brother and mother and family. They need you right now. Be you, shine before man so that they see your good deeds and glorify the Father…..one last thing KB a christian rapper after a summer of tough stuff and being humbled everyday he put it very well “If God is letting all this happen to me then he must be doing something really big in my life, its like the LORD checked me ” what do you mean? I am the big thing in your life.” I’m paraphrasing. I love how he said this because its on point. He went on to say the record deal he made doesn’t mean he made it God showed him having God and knowing God is making it.” Rejoice evermore, pray ceaselessly, and give thanks for everything for this is Gods will for you in Christ Jesus.” From Thessalonians. That Gods will for all his children in Chrsit Jesus wherever they are planted. God bless you temendously with peace and joy, may the LORD be your strength through it all :).

Yes, it is so hard to feel that your season of “small things” is lasting far too long! BUT then there can come a day when the opportunity is at your door and you suddenly realize you aren’t prepared. Scary!! Opportunities can come at any time, when you aren’t expecting it, but equipping yourself with the skills necessary to meet them takes time.

I don’t think there’s anything wrong with setting your mind on a big goal — so long as the focus is on carrying out God’s vision by truly meeting needs and helping people, rather than on making yourself look good (Mat 10:29.) Once you’ve picked a goal, work backwards and figure out the many steps, resources, and skills needed to complete it. These become your new “small things” that are now going to lead to a definite hoped-for conclusion. This can also remove some of the romanticism that often surrounds big projects — once you realize how much work is involved, you’ll be glad you have the time to prepare!

I find that when my focus is small (mostly self-absorbed) then everything looks small, but if my focus is on God and his world, and the needs of the people around me, then everything seems much deeper and more significant.

Kewl!

I’ve totally dealt with the same problem. I’ve always wanted to do a big hard thing (like write a book). However, I believe small hard things, is the time God is training you for something big. Being respectful, and playing with your brother, could mean an even bigger hard thing God has in store for you. In football (or basketball) you can’t leap to the end-zone, to get there you have to take steps. You might get tackled and hurt, but (if you fight against the trials) you’ll eventually make it to the end-zone.
Don’t start big, start small. If you want to write a book (or something like that), start by writing a few great sentences, or tell stories to your siblings.
Another thing I’ve learned is: (if you have little brothers and sisters) you’re only going to get to play with them for so long. Eventually you’ll leave the house, and you might never “play” with them again. Savor the time you have with your sibling (you might never get a chance like that again). Do something fun with them (like a craft or something like that), just don’t be bored.
Anyway this is my advice.

I love what you said about not always being able to be with your young siblings. So true! Unfortunetly, I feel like teenagers can easily overlook that.

Hello, Laura 🙂 I’m not the best person to offer advice on this subject, but, here goes!

Losing the awe of life, however mundane life may be, is harmful. It’s something that i often struggle with too. I’ve found myself recently bored of failing, as well. I’m not sure exactly what to do about it. I’ll be honest, doing “big” hard things scares me, because i can’t even get the little things right.

That’s where an amazing, gracious Savior steps in.

God really has a purpose for every day of your life. He holds pieces to the puzzle of our lives that we may never see. It’s a daily decision to be content with where God has us. Right now. And when we fail, He’s there to pick us up, and give us grace.

The puzzle of your life is purposely designed. Even the smallest, seemingly insignificant piece has a VERY important place. Don’t give up on the little things. Maybe big things are just around the corner. God’s got this 🙂

Ah yes I concur with that statement I too enjoy learning but sometimes it becomes slightly tedious. haha who says blondes can’t be smart!

But do remember that sometimes its just being faithful with the little things. It doesn’t always mean that you’re being called to something bigger, sometimes its that you just need practice with the same old same old. Good thoughts though!

Welcome to the Rebelution commenting area! 🙂

He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much. Luke 16:10Its normal and ok to be bored. Just be faithful. 🙏🏼

Same rule in my family’s house!!! That is awesome. Haha

Great thoughts! I hadn’t thought of that before…

A bunch of people already said this, but being bored with little hard things is okay and normal, and if you feel like its the right thing, I don’t think it would be a bad idea to create some bigger hard things for yourself.

Uh, oh. I’ll call off the drones now if you promise not to tell the NSA. 😛

Lol Laura! The Amish around here use “Yepper” a lot! 😁

LOL

Wait, let me write this down!!
Psst, everybody! Rachel is giving away the secret to awesomeness!!

Haha I went to another church to help with their scripture distribution ministry and this older guy there told me to “Keep smiling, No one will know what you’re up to.” haha

Of course! I think if everyone was as awesome as you, the world would explode, and we wouldn’t want that!
Wait, so does that make me a superhero? XD

Haha! That’s awesome!

I’m going to have to use that one :))

Good idea, but I’m pretty sure it’s impossible for you to be less awesome. 🙂 Very kind of you to be willing to give some of it up for our sake, though!
Aw =) that’s the best thing I’ve heard all day! 😉

*Tries to think of something cleaver to say, but doesn’t think of anything.*

Thank you. 🙂

Thank you. That pretty much made my day! 🙂

You seem like an extremely awesome person yourself.

And who knows, maybe someday we could meet in real life. 🙂

You can say the “bored” word… Just be prepared for extra chores to take care of that problem!

Haha! That sounds about right…

If your ready for actual hard things then go for it! but if not its alright everyone has to start with something small