When We Have to Do Hard Things

I had to come in and do some hard things today. When I am faced with difficult task, I am reminded of something my good friend Randy Stinson always says, “real men do the hard thing first.” I am encouraged by this and want to share with you an exerpt of an article where he talks about this in the context of cultivating manhood. After establishing that, “biblical manhood is modeled after the Lord Jesus,” he says the following.

One should not overlook the fact that the characteristics of biblical masculinity can and should be cultivated. It is easy to recall at this point David’s own life experiences. When standing before Saul in 1 Samuel 17:34-36 trying to convince him that he should be allowed to go out and fight Goliath, David brings up past experiences that have impacted his ability to take on this current fight. He has already killed a lion and a bear, and Goliath will be like them. Note also, this is not a self-reliant vision of masculinity, since he clearly understands (vs. 37) that ultimately God delivered him from the mouth of the lion and the bear.

God gives all of us opportunities each day to resist passivity and develop biblically masculine characteristics. Each of the challenges men face should be viewed as instruments in God’s hands that will help shape us as biblical men. These opportunities should be viewed with the same understanding exhibited by David. We must acknowledge that it is God who delivers and protects and cultivates. With that in mind, here are some ways men can, on a daily basis, cultivate masculine characteristics under the lordship of Christ:

Do the hardest task first: Attacking your hardest task of the day without delay will build your resistance to passivity. Waiting until the end of the day only reinforces your sinful tendencies toward passivity.

Make the hard phone call first: While this is similar to the first suggestion, it deals more with passivity within interpersonal relationships. Some men are willing to do the hard task first, but avoid difficult situations involving other people.

Run to the battle: One only needs to consider the life of the Apostle Paul to see that conflict is a regular feature of the Christian life. Men who think all conflict should be avoided, or who refuse to engage with those who would harm the body of Christ or their family, not only model passivity but fail in the area of protection.

Do your work now as opposed to later: From term papers to tax filing, the man who is cultivating biblical masculinity will not allow these things to rule him. He will exercise dominion over them by doing them in a timely manner.

Keep your domain in order: While most of us on occasion have a messy desk or car trunk, a life that is characterized by disorder is evidence of passivity. Your home, dorm room, garage, office and car should bear the mark of your masculinity as you subdue it and keep it in order.

Kill a bear or a lion: In other words, do something that is a challenge for you. It may actually be to kill a bear or a lion, but it may be a health challenge like running a triathlon or a marathon. It may be something as basic as riding a roller coaster or as edgy as snorkeling with sharks. It may involve debating the atheist at work or starting a Bible study at home. It may mean you need to finally share the gospel with your lost friend or deal with a family conflict that you have allowed to go on for too long.

Mind you, these activities do not constitute manhood. But, as you consider your own challenges and interests, they can help to cultivate a sense of willingness to reject passivity and embrace the characteristics of biblical manhood to lead, provide and protect. Don’t wait for some endorsement from the world and don’t embrace the feminized version of manhood espoused by our culture. Hear the words of a father to a son and “show yourself a man.”

I pray this is encouraging to you all in some way, much as it has been many times for me. 

Randy L. Stinson became Dean of the SBTS School of Church Ministries in August 2006.
He is also assistant professor of leadership, and vice president for academic innovation.
Dr. Stinson also serves as Senior Fellow with The Council on Biblical Manhood and Womanhood. Southern Seminary Magazine | Winter 2005. Vol. 73, No. 3. Copyright © 2005 The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Louisville, KY.  publicrelations@sbts.edu.