What has been the most difficult challenge in your life?

My most difficult challenge has been staying strong in obedience to God. 

The world around me is constantly saying don't obey God, that is dumb and it makes you look dumb and stupid. The world is constantly saying "you can only be happy if you serve yourself and do whatever it takes to make yourself happy no matter the cost".
I have made some major adjustments in my life over the past year and I know for a fact that I need to make some more changes because as I evaluate my lifestyle, I know that I am not doing EVERYTHING I can to obey God.  And when I make "radical" changes in my life my biggest challenge is staying strong and not slipping back and becoming discouraged by the world around me. Breaking from the world and it's traditions is not easy.  

Have you ever seen the movie "Christmas with the Kranks"? The Kranks did not want to celebrate Christmas, they wanted to abandon all the stress that came with following the normal traditions of the holiday. So, they decided to book a trip to take a cruise. The entire town was in an uproar because they were abandoning the "traditions" of Christmas. The Kranks were constantly having to support each other and be strong and not give in even although they were very tempted to give in on several occasions, even on just little things. This is a good example of how I feel a lot of the time. Having to stay strong and not give in, even to the smallest worldly things.

"Stop loving this evil world and all that it offers you, for when you love the world, you show that you do not have the love of the Father in you. For the world offers only the lust for physical pleasure, the lust for everything we see, and pride in our possessions. These are not from the Father. They are from this evil world. And this world is fading away, along with everything it craves. But if you do the will of God, you will live forever. " - 1 John 2:15-17

I sometimes feel like "The Little Engine that could", telling myself, "I think I can, I think I can, I think I can" be strong and not give in to even the smallest of things. Even the smallest things matter: my attitude, what I read, what I watch, what I listen to, who I hang out with, etc.
I have to admit that even when trying to be strong in my obedience to God, it has also been a struggle because even my Christian peers make it difficult. I find myself "witnessing" to Christians and having to convince even them that I am not crazy for adjusting my life.
This concept seems so backwards to me. 

Can you see the difficulty?

"Jesus replied, 'If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching'. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him." - John 14:23

 But, why is obedience to God so important, you ask?

"If you love me, you will obey what I command. He who does not love me will not obey my teaching".  - John 14:15, 24

This is so serious! He says: those who do not love Him will not obey His teachings. Does this challenge you at all? It sure does challenge me!

Here are some very important points that Blackaby & King give from their book Experiencing God: Knowing and Doing the will of God:

- Obedience is the outward expression of your love of God

- The reward for obedience and love is that He will reveal Himself to you.

- If you have an obedience problem, you have a love problem.

- God is love. His will is always best.

- God is all knowing. His directions are always right. 

- God is all powerful. He can enable you to do His will. 

- If you love Him, you will obey Him!

In many ways, obedience is your moment of truth. What YOU DO WILL: Reveal what you believe about Him, Determine whether you will experience His mighty work in you and through you, and determine whether you will come to know Him more intimately.

You cannot believe and trust Him, unless you love Him. You cannot love Him, unless you know Him. 

Here are some points the Bible makes about Obedience:

"If you fully obey the LORD your God by keeping all the commands I am giving you today, the LORD your God will exalt you above all the nations of the world.", "The LORD will bless everything you do and will fill your storehouses with grain. The LORD your God will bless you in the land he is giving you." - Deut 28:1,8

"But if you refuse to listen to the LORD your God and do not obey all the commands and laws I am giving you today, all these curses will come and overwhelm you: You will be cursed in your towns and in the country.",  "The LORD himself will send against you curses, confusion, and disillusionment in everything you do, until at last you are completely destroyed for doing evil and forsaking me. " - Deut 28:15-16, 20

"This is what I told them: 'Obey me, and I will be your God, and you will be my people. Only do as I say, and all will be well!' " - Jeremiah 7:23

  "So why do you call me 'Lord,' when you won't obey me?  I will show you what it's like when someone comes to me, listens to my teaching, and then obeys me.  It is like a person who builds a house on a strong foundation laid upon the underlying rock. When the floodwaters rise and break against the house, it stands firm because it is well built.  But anyone who listens and doesn't obey is like a person who builds a house without a foundation. When the floods sweep down against that house, it will crumble into a heap of ruins."  - Luke 6:46-49

"Those who say they live in God should live their lives as Christ did." - 1 John 2:6

Obedience to God will be costly and I am up to that challenge. How about you? Responses are encouraged.