Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today- December 9, 2011
“Cursed is the ground because of you; through painful toil you will eat of it all the days of your life…By the sweat of your brow you will eat your food until you return to the ground…” Genesis 3:17b, 19a
The smell of sweat can be the fruit of success. There is a correlation between energy exerted and outcome produced. God gave Adam the command to work hard. It is laborious and painful, but there is reward in results. Some days I struggle with this because I enjoy the accomplishments of hard work, but not the painful process.
However, I am learning that sweat is a blessing from a curse. It is cleansing for the body, soul and spirit. Sweat cleanses the body from impurities. Spiritual perspiration purifies the mind of pride and conceit. Emotions may travail in labor, but hurt is birthed and replaced with forgiveness. Fulfillment and significance in life does not come from ease and avoiding exertion but through engaging with people and problems, while depending on the Lord. Hard work with a heart for the Lord leads to good results.
“Simon answered, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets” (Luke 5:5).
Hard times require hard work. It may be working hard at working smarter. It may be working hard at being more creative in cost cutting. It may be working hard to close the deal or gain new customers. Lazy excuses bring death, but hard work brings life. You are healthier emotionally when you sweat out fear and replace it with faith.
Spiritually you are stronger when you sweat out despair and replace it with hope. Hard work is a command and a cure from God. Some days it hurts and the smell is repulsive, but the result from sweat is sweet. Go to work an hour earlier, stay an hour later or work on Saturday. Do whatever it takes during dire times to create compelling distinction in your work. Indeed, hard work is supported by the handprints of heaven.
“All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty” (Proverbs 14:23).
What is one priority in my work where I can increase the intensity of focus and results?
Related Readings: 2 Chronicles 32:5; John 4:38; Acts 20:35; Romans 16:6; 12
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Hard work with a heart for the Lord leads to good results. … #work #God
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If there was any good work around, that’s what I would be doing, kind of hard to break a sweat when you’re reduced to looking at a computer screen hoping to find a good job for 3 to 4 hours a day.