The hard stuff matters more

"We often hear statements like,'I'd die for my kids.' Ok. But will you live for them? Will you stop smoking or drinking? Will you heal your emotional wounds? Will you change your eating habits? Will you care for your body, inside and out? Your kids don't need you to die for them. They need you to live!"

I saw this on Twitter recently and it hit deep. (Yes, sometimes you do come across a few gems in the midst of massive trash heaps)

I'm not a parent, but it made me realize how quick we are to make bold declarations of love and commitment to others

to a cause

to an ideal

even to ourselves

and, most of all,

to God.

But are we willing to do the hard inner work, and put in the elbow grease to follow through on such bold and heroic words?

The answer most of the time is, No.

"I would do anything for you"

Unless "anything" means:

Self-denial

Sacrifice

Admitting you were wrong

Getting help

Taking consistent, practical steps to accomplish the "anything." In other words, WORK. Humility. Accountability.

Ironically enough, the hard work is where where "I'd die for you" usually goes to die.

We need to think three times before we make such poetic, self-aggrandizing declarations to others, to ourselves, and to God unless we're ready to back them up with long term action.

“These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me." Matthew 15:8.