I'm a new Christian: Why is it so hard?

Becoming a Christian can bring real joy, but it does not make life suddenly uncomplicated. In fact, some people are surprised to discover that following Jesus can expose struggles they had barely noticed before. If God wants us to know Him, why can the Christian life still feel so difficult?

I’m a New Christian: Why Is It So Hard? addresses that question without pretending discipleship should be effortless. It looks at what the Bible says about who we are, the kind of world we are living in and the opposition we encounter once we have given our lives to Christ. 

For someone at the beginning of faith, that can be an important reassurance. Difficulty does not necessarily mean Christianity is failing, that God has withdrawn or that you have started badly. Learning to follow Jesus involves discovering a new way of seeing yourself and the world around you, while growing in dependence upon the One you have chosen to trust.

A shared invitation

Our Daily Bread Ministries wants to accompany people beyond the moment they first put their trust in Jesus and into the everyday reality of following Him. We make resources like this freely available so that new Christians can find clear, Bible-based help as questions arise. If you would like to support that work, your donation helps us continue creating and sharing resources without charge.