Is it easy to live a Christian life? Today in church I mentioned that I think living according to the gospel makes life easy. Immediately someone kindly disagreed with me. Then I remembered that I used to think living a Christian life was hard, and I bet many other people feel it is hard also.
If living a Christian life is hard, then how can we explain the following scriptures that seem to be saying it is easy?

Matthew 11:28-30 (KJV)
28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
1 John 5:3 (KJV)
For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.
These people are likely thinking of verses like these:


  John 15:18-20 (NIV)
  
  &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 18 “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. 19 If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. 20 Remember what I told you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also.    
  
  Matthew 5:10 (NIV)   
  
  10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
  &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.


Rightousness and persecution are linked together in these two. However, there is a verse that makes the link explicit:


  2 Timothy 3:12 (NIV)   
  
  12 In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,


The verses you referenced talk about interaction between God and Christians, but if you say something like "following Christ's Gospel (being righteous) makes life easy", then people will assume you mean the interaction between Christians and the world, which is indeed not an easy life.