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You Can Do Hard Things: Practical Tips for Facing Life’s Toughest Moments

Life is full of challenges—some we see coming, and others that blindside us when we least expect them. From personal struggles like grief and loss to external pressures such as career setbacks or relationship issues, everyone faces difficult moments that test their strength and resilience. During these times, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed, defeated, and unsure of how to move forward. However, it’s important to remember one truth: you can do hard things.

No matter what life throws your way, you have the strength, courage, and perseverance to overcome it. In this article, we will explore practical tips for facing life’s toughest moments, using the principle that “you can do hard things” as a guide to help you build resilience, manage stress, and ultimately, come out stronger on the other side.

You Can Do Hard Things: Building Resilience in Tough Times

Resilience—the ability to bounce back from adversity—is not something you’re born with; it’s a skill that can be developed over time. When faced with hard things, your resilience is what keeps you moving forward, even when everything feels like it’s falling apart. By cultivating resilience, you strengthen your ability to confront life’s challenges head-on, knowing that you are capable of handling whatever comes your way (Philippians 4:13).

Here are some practical tips to help you build resilience and face hard things with confidence:

1. Break it Down Into Manageable Steps

One of the most overwhelming aspects of facing a tough situation is the feeling that it’s too big to handle. Whether it’s a career setback, financial hardship, or personal crisis, the enormity of the challenge can make it seem impossible to tackle. That’s where breaking it down into manageable steps comes in.

Instead of trying to solve everything at once, break the problem down into smaller, actionable steps. Ask yourself, “What’s the first thing I can do?” Start small and build from there. Every little action brings you closer to overcoming the challenge, and as you make progress, the situation will feel less daunting.

Key Tip: Focus on what you can control. Sometimes, hard things involve factors outside of your control. By concentrating on the aspects you can influence, you empower yourself to take action and move forward.

2. Lean on Your Support System

When facing life’s toughest moments, it’s easy to retreat into isolation, but doing hard things doesn’t mean you have to do them alone. Reaching out to friends, family, or trusted mentors can provide you with much-needed emotional support, practical advice, and encouragement.

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Your support system serves as a reminder that you are not in this fight alone. Whether it’s someone who can listen to you vent, offer advice, or simply be there to remind you of your own strength, having people you can rely on makes a world of difference during tough times.

Key Tip: Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Sometimes, the hardest part of facing a challenge is admitting that you need assistance. Asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness.

3. Focus on Growth, Not Perfection

When you’re going through a difficult time, it’s easy to fall into the trap of perfectionism, feeling like you have to “fix” everything perfectly or have the ideal response to every challenge. However, perfection is an impossible standard. Instead of aiming for flawlessness, focus on growth and learning.

Hard moments in life are often where we grow the most. Ask yourself, “What can I learn from this situation? How can this make me stronger or wiser?” Shifting your mindset from one of perfection to one of growth helps you navigate challenges with greater flexibility and grace.

Key Tip: Celebrate small victories. Every step you take, no matter how small, is a sign of progress. Acknowledge and appreciate your efforts along the way.

4. Practice Self-Compassion

It’s easy to be hard on yourself when you’re facing tough times. You might feel like you should be handling things better, moving faster, or doing more. However, self-criticism only adds to the stress and pressure of an already difficult situation. Instead, practice self-compassion—being kind to yourself in moments of struggle.

Remind yourself that it’s okay to not have everything figured out right away. You are doing the best you can under challenging circumstances, and that’s enough. Treat yourself with the same kindness and understanding that you would offer a friend who was going through a tough time.

Key Tip: Incorporate positive self-talk into your daily routine. Replace critical thoughts like “I can’t do this” with affirmations like “I am strong, and I will get through this.” Over time, this will help you build greater mental resilience.

Staff
Staff
FaithIt staff contributed to this article.

“It’s Not Easy”: An Honest Letter to My Husband on Valentine’s Day

"Here we are, 24 times we have celebrated Valentine’s Day... I feel like I am just lately really getting to know you."

Jimmy Carter: A Life of Faith, Service, and Legacy

Longest-living President Jimmy Carter has lived an incredible life rooted in deep Christian faith. From his time as the 39th President of the United States to his global humanitarian efforts, Jimmy Carter's legacy is one that honors God and country.

Lauren Daigle Returns to the ‘American Idol’ Stage That Rejected Her to Sing Multi-Platinum Hit “Look Up, Child”

Lauren Daigle returned to 'American Idol' to perform her hit song "Look Up, Child" for millions of fans—some in the audience and some watching from home.