Do hard things chapter 5 That First Scary Step-

     A couple weeks ago, my youth group at the church I go to, had a practice round/rehearsal for a state-wide event called 'Fine Arts' where dozens of youth groups get together and some kids do things like short sermons, sing solos, drama, lead worship, guitar solos,drum solos, etc. which I think is a great example of stepping out of your comfort zone, sharing the talents God has given you with others. It was a great opportunity for me to see youth "doing hard things."

     This chapter is about if you don’t grow up when you are supposed to, you will miss out on big opportunities in your life. The first step out of your comfort zone can often be the hardest because questions will arise like “what will others think of me", and "what is out there that I do not know about?” It’s like your first time on a roller coaster or performing in front of people. At first it can seem terrifying, but after your overcome your fears, it might not seem as hard, it might even be fun!

    I am a perfect example of needing to step out of my comfort zone. I have had a lot of fear in areas that call me to step out of what I know. A couple of years ago, my parents encouraged me to join a worship team. Me plus playing the piano in front of of people (even a small group of 25ish) equals a completely terrified 12 year old boy! But I did it, and it turned out to be a great time of growth for me and I am thankful my parents encouraged me to join. Now I play guitar and am praying about joining an even larger worship team to use my talents for the Lord in front of hundreds of youth!

     You have to single out your fears and learn how to overcome them, like if it’s speaking in front of a group of people (also a GIANT fear of mine and my parents have signed me up for public speaking in the fall!!!!!!) than maybe doing exactly that will help you overcome your fear. By the way, it doesn't mean that courage is not having fear in your life at all; it is just blocking it out so it does not affect your choices, so you can accomplish what you are supposed to. Fear of what others think can often times hold your back from maturing, from becoming all God wants and has planned for you to be. You have to be able to let go of your fears and trust God, the only one who holds your future.

Next chapter…..Raising the Bar

Do Hard Things Chapter 3 A Better Way-

Chapter 3 explains how the teen years are the launch pad for your life, and how your need to realize the importance of those years.

Most youth act as if the teen years are just a break and they can grow up whenever they choose. Like they were never behind in their life but everyone who behaves like that will regret it later in life because the chose not to grow when they should have. It's not an instant switch to living a more mature life, it takes work and time to become what you are supposed to be. So if you choose to wait until later to grow up you will miss a lot in life.

And to make it even worse.....the world extends to "kidults" which is basically a new term started in 2005  referencing the time from the 20's-30's where now it even extends the "teen years" for another decade!! Now you have an even longer "break" from responsibility/maturity. Showing the world has extremely low expectations not just for your teen years, but for your life.

You have to set challenges for yourself to take you outside your comfort zone which will raise your expectations of yourself and help you grow. The things you should have done in your teen years you cannot get back later in life. The time to start maturing is now!

next chapter....That First Scary Step-

Do Hard Things Chapter 2-

Chapter two starts off explaining how Alex and Bret started their book and website. And how if people team up they can spread a message using their different talents way better than just one person on their own.

If people have greater expectations of teens (or anyone) then they will rise to meet that challenge if that is what is expected of them, and they have to be willing to go for the challenge. Like if a thirteen year old is expected to meet the expectations of a twenty four year old, they will rise up to meet that challenge. Most teens don’t do much (not hard workers, play a lot etc.) because they are not expected to, and feeds the world view of "teens". They will automatically set low expectations for themselves because it is easy in the moment. But in the long run, it will not help at all. Getting by with the least possible effort is never beneficial and will never help the person to grow/mature.

For example when you hear the word “teen” what first comes to your mind?? Lazy, moody, arrogant, selfish, that is what the world says about teens. What if more was expected from teens? That would completely change the world. It is impossible to have every teen in the world instantly change, but individual teens sharing the message with others is possible. If 1,000 teens that have heard the message from chapter two and shared it with one teen the number would obviously double……and so on. If people were committed to changing their own hearts and sharing with others it could have a big impact on the world. Low expectations also keep teens from digging deeper into Gods Word...actually maturing!  Which as a teen, being in the Word would definitely help your maturing as you get older, it is vital. Many teens are bound by the world’s low expectations keeping them from being what they are called to be; it is time to raise our expectations.

Next post…..The Myth of Adolescence