Easy vs Hard

In general, when faced with the choice between easy or hard, most people pick easy even without knowing what the task is. But in life, easier is not always better. Consider the following things in life we face or do and the difference between easy and hard.

In life,

Criticizing is easy…Contributing is difficult.

Complaining is easy…Finding a solution is difficult.

Judging is easy...Listening is difficult.

Pointing fingers is easy…Leading is difficult.

Being offended is easy…Being unoffendable is difficult.

Bonnie Sala, President & CEO of Guidelines International Ministries, states the Bible illustrates we were made to struggle and to become better through difficulties.

Matthew 7:14: For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life; those who find it are few.

Romans 5: 3-4: Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. 

Humans are made to do hard things because out of failures and struggles, we grow. In Matthew 7:14, Jesus teaches that the way to abundant life is thru the narrow gate which is hard and very few do the difficult work. Jesus then teaches in Romans 5 that we can stand tall in our difficulties because of what is produced—perseverance, character, and hope.

Officiating is hard. Because of how difficult it is, very few people try to officiate. Then, to do it well there are struggles, sufferings, and frustrations such as learning rules and mechanics, making the wrong calls, and not getting the assignments we think we deserve. But, when officials persevere, it is rewarding emotionally, mentally, and physically to know we are part of a game so many people enjoy. Now, let’s look at easy verses hard in officiating.

In officiating,

Criticizing other officials is easy…Being critical of yourself is difficult.

Disagreeing with assignments is easy…Officiating any game assigned is difficult.

Dismissing evaluation is easy…Learning from evaluation is difficult.

Accusing others for your mistake is easy…Owning your actions is difficult.

Worrying what supervisors and coaches think is easy…working the next play is difficult.

Do difficult work!

“Great faith is the product of great fights. Great testimonies are the outcome of great tests. Great triumphs can only come out of great trials.”
― Alex Harris, Do Hard Things: A Teenage Rebellion Against Low Expectations