Which of these statements is true? Nobody said it would be easy. Jesus said it would be easy.
Did you pick "Nobody ever said it would be easy"? Actually that's not true. In fact, Jesus says just the opposite in Matthew 11; 28-30.
"Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart, and you will find rest for yourselves. For my yoke is easy and my burden light."
What is His yoke? The cross. "If anyone wishes to come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. (Matthew 16; 24).
So the logical conclusion is that when we willingly take up our crosses, we find that with God's help they are easy and light. As the "Imitation of Christ" puts it: "If you carry your cross willingly, it will carry you" (Book 2, chap. 12, v. 5).
So when things are too hard and rough - perhaps it is because I am running away from the crosses presented to me instead of facing them head on and carrying them. To be His disciple, carry them we must. "Anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple" (Luke 14;27). But it won't be that bad, because His "yoke is easy" and His "burden light".
Copyright Frank M. Rega 1999.