Can’t Hurt Me

The War That Determines Your Future Is Fought in Your Mind

You are in danger of living a life of mediocrity.

A life so comfortable and soft that you never realize your true potential.

That’s uncomfortable to hear.

But it’s worth asking:

Are you pushing yourself… or are you protecting yourself?

I recently finished reading Can’t Hurt Me by David Goggins — a former Navy SEAL who transformed himself from an abused, overweight, depressed young man into one of the toughest endurance athletes on the planet.

His story is extreme.

But his principle is simple.

He calls it The 40% Rule.

He believes that when we think we’ve reached our limit, we’ve only tapped about 40% of our true capacity.

That means when your mind says, “I’m done,” you probably have 60% left.

Not physically.

Mentally.

Spiritually.

Emotionally.

The real battle isn’t on a battlefield.

It’s in your mind.

The Governor in Your Mind

Goggins talks about a “governor” in the brain — a built-in limiter that tries to protect us from discomfort.

The problem?

It kicks in too early.

We quit conversations too soon.
We quit workouts too soon.
We quit goals too soon.
We quit relationships too soon.

We feel pain and assume it means stop.

But pain often means growth.

When I first started playing guitar, my fingers hurt constantly pressing steel strings. But over time, something happened.

Callouses formed.

The pain didn’t go away because I stopped.

It went away because I kept going.

The same is true in life.

We develop a calloused mind by pushing through discomfort.

And that calloused mind builds confidence.

But here’s where this message needs balance.

Because there is a danger.

Hard Mind. Soft Heart.

In developing a hard mind… we can accidentally develop a hard heart.

And that’s not strength.

Hebrews 3:8 warns us:

“Harden not your hearts.”

God wants firm minds.

But soft hearts.

We are meant to be relentless in discipline — but tender in love.

Confident in effort — but surrendered to God.

There is a powerful scriptural example of this balance.

In the Book of Mormon, about 2,000 young warriors entered battle at a critical moment. Their prophet-leader, Helaman, described them this way:

“They are young, and their minds are firm, and they do put their trust in God continually.” (Alma 57:27)

That’s it.

Firm minds.

Trust in God.

Not arrogant.

Not reckless.

Not prideful.

But disciplined. Faithful. Focused.

That combination is dangerous in the best way.

A mind that won’t surrender to fear.
A heart that has already surrendered to God.

There Is No Substitute for Work

Former prophet Gordon B. Hinckley taught:

“There is no substitute under the heavens for productive labor. It is the process by which dreams become realities… It is work that spells the difference in life.”

Work builds more than success.

It builds self-respect.

And former prophet Spencer W. Kimball said something powerful about hard labor taming the Arizona desert:

“Had I been wiser then, I would have realized that we were taming the Arizona desert. But we were taming ourselves, too.”

Hard work tames something inside of us.

Comfort makes us soft.

Soft makes us fragile.

Fragile makes us fearful.

Hard work builds resilience.

And resilience builds confidence.

Anchoring Quote

“They are young, and their minds are firm, and they do put their trust in God continually.”

That’s the balance.

That’s the goal.

A firm mind.

A trusting heart.

Reflection

Where have you been quitting at 40%?

Is it:

• Your discipline?

• Your health?

• Your faith?

• A relationship?

• A dream?

• A calling?

Are you avoiding discomfort — or embracing it?

And more importantly…

Have you been strengthening your mind while also guarding your heart?

Today’s Daily Challenge

Push yourself 10% beyond what you think you can do today.

• One more rep.

• Five more minutes.

• One more page.

• One more prayer.

• One more act of discipline.

• One more uncomfortable conversation.

When your mind says, “That’s enough,” go just a little further.

Develop a firmer mind.

But keep your heart soft.

Pray while you push.

Trust God while you work.

Because with God, all things are possible.

And the most dangerous person in the world is not the one who fears pain.

It’s the one who has embraced it — and placed their heart in God’s hands.

Grateful you’re here.

More Daily Devotionals:
joshdowns.com/daily-devotionals

Come Follow Me for Teens:
joshdowns.com/come-follow-me-for-teens

Until next time — keep driving forward. 🚗