At church yesterday, we had speakers from a ministry called Ripple Effect. They are a family of four that decided they were going to go full time ministry, and they now travel around the United States and teach the Gospel using a mixture of songs, skits, and sermons.
This family clearly felt God's calling on them that this Ripple Effect ministry they started was what they needed to do. He made the time clear, and they were faithful. It's been a few years since then, and they are struggling. So for their sermon, they talked about what it had been like for them during the past few years.
Even though this family clearly understood and followed God's calling, they were still having difficulties. Why? They were doing what God wanted. Why wasn't everything easy?
Their main point was just because God gives you instructions and you follow them, it doesn't mean things will be easy. In fact, it often means just the opposite. We just need to trust in Him to provide. He may be testing us, he may be helping someone else through our struggle. Only He knows.
This is the way it was with the disciples of Jesus. One night, Jesus told them to go out into the boat for the night. The disciples obeyed, and went out for the night while Jesus stayed on the shore. Storms rocked the boat the entire night. Finally, in the morning Jesus came walking out on the water and calmed the storm. The disciples had done exactly what God has asked, but they still had difficulties! (This story is described in Mark 7:45-52)
The same is true for the apostle Paul. Almost his entire ministry, he had troubles! He was beaten, put in jail, shipwrecked, you name it! He went through almost everything imaginable, and yet he still praised God at every chance he got. God received the glory and Paul's story impacted countless people.
So just because you are having difficulties, that doesn't mean you're disobeying God; it may mean just the opposite! Always be praying and reading Scripture to make sure you are following His will, and remember: always do what God wants! For his ways are higher than our ways, and his thoughts higher than our thoughts. He knows what's best, so trust in Him!