I chalk it up to the Mystery of Colloquialism.
“I chalk it up to the Mystery of Colloquialism.”
Bingo!
God allows us to have free will on this earth, he wants to encourage us, but he will not force us. However, we will face the consequences later. So far as hardening of the heart goes, I imagine God to say, “Okay, if you continue to resist me, I shall finally step back and let you have your own way, but you will regret it”.