Assalamu'alaykum wa rahmatullahi wa barakaatuh,
I'll just make it short and simple though the answer to your question can be one/two pages long.
Islaam appears difficult because it is
a constant battle between our nafs (whims and desires) to do that which the bad heart desires and our good heart to please Allaah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala. Our nafs wants more rest, wants everything to be easily achieve, wants comforts. But Islaam teaches that in order to achieve something very precious, you must work hard for it. A Muslim shouldn't always be resting or letting oneself to be idle because there are *so many things* in a Muslim life to do with *so little time*.
Time:
"By time,
Indeed, mankind is in loss,
Except for those who have believed and done righteous deeds and advised each other to truth and advised each other to patience." [Al-A'sr, 103:1-3]
Those who have believed, those who have done righteous deeds and those who advised one another to the truth and patience. Now that is not something small to do isn't it? If we are able to fulfill
all of the responsibilities upon us [duniyawi & ukhraawi], we'd feel like the 24 hrs given to us are not enough.
As much difficulties and struggles that a Muslim go through in life, we are aware that our
real life isn't in this world. We are only in a journey in this temporary world for an eternal life: The Aakhiraah.
And to be able to arrive to our final destination,
the journey is made hard because the reward in the end is a bliss that can never be described by words, a bliss that never cross the mind of a human, never heard, seen and felt by any human on earth; which is. . . Jannaah.
When one feels low throughout the day; low in terms of faith, try to remember the *very* difficult life The Messenger of Allaah had gone through. He :saw2: was the most beloved human being by Allaah, even the Angel asked him :saw2: that if he wishes the mountain to be fell upon the people of Thaif, the angel will do so. But no, he :saw2: remained in his difficulties, he :saw2: never felt full when he eats during his entire life. He has led a very hard life being opposed by his own people [the Mushrikeen] but in the end, Muhammad :saw2: would be the one waiting for his strong, struggling Ummaah in Jannah. MashaAllaah. Let your heart cries everytime reading about the Seerah.
Ponder over this ayaat:
"And strive for Allah with the striving due to Him. He has chosen you and has not placed upon you in the religion any difficulty. [It is] the religion of your father, Abraham. Allah named you "Muslims" before [in former scriptures] and in this [revelation] that the Messenger may be a witness over you and you may be witnesses over the people. So establish prayer and give zakah and hold fast to Allah . He is your protector; and excellent is the protector, and excellent is the helper." [Al-Hajj, 22:78]