Why is Being Good So Hard?

            I read something today that stipulated being a good person was difficult. By the end of the reading, it contradicted stating that being a good person was easy. I was confused and my first response was, “No it’s not. Being a good person is very hard.” And I even said as much to the individual. There are many times in life that we have mixed emotions between good and bad, right and wrong, popular or unpopular.

            All too often we tend to mimic the actions of society and by doing so, we become confused about our own belief system. At times, our moral compass seems to be stuck in one position—the position of follower instead of leader. Unfortunately, peer pressure allows us to follow our friends into sticky situations because they are our friends, and we feel distressed by following them into a situation that we disagree with versus taking the high road and listening to that voice in our head that says this is wrong.

            Society has become morally bankrupt, and for those of us with a strong moral code, we tend to feel like outsiders in our own skin. Regardless of whether you are a Christian or not, no doubt, you have experienced the repercussions from a societal backlash when trying to do the right thing. The constant struggle between good and bad becomes physically draining, and we find ourselves questioning our beliefs. We begin to wonder if being a good person with a strong set of values is actually worth the discomfort we feel over the situation.

            There is no doubt in my mind that every person at one time or another, has succumbed to the pressures of society and abandoned their own beliefs, only to feel disgusted and disappointed in their actions later on in life. We all too often become concerned with what society thinks instead of what God thinks. I do not know about you, but I know whom I answer to and there is no human that fills that position. Although God gives me the strength and the tools to persevere, the devil still attacks me every chance he gets in the guise of society and that is what makes being good so hard. It is by accepting society’s norms that we dishonor ourselves as well as God. There are many mistakes in life that I have made and many regrets I have had over making poor decisions. Although, I do not recall regrets in making a morally just decision and that tells me I am on the right path.

            Will being a good person ever be easy? No, not really. Nevertheless, there are days that it is easier than others and for this, I am thankful. Fortunately, when I falter, I have a God who is loving and forgiving where society is not. Thankfully, my heart is not ruled by society’s misgivings, but rather God’s will.