Devotional Day 24: Feel The Burn!

• Proverbs 13:4 : "Lazy people want much but get little, but those who work hard will prosper and be satisfied."
• Deuteronomy 15:10 : "Give generously to him and do so without a grudging heart; then because of this the Lord your God will bless you in all your work and in everything you put your hand to."
• Not everything in life is going to be easy! Life, relationships, and success come from hard work.

     I love how blunt Proverbs 13:4 is. People who want things, but have no ambition or drive to actually work for what they want will achieve nothing. It's those that want, work hard, and are determined to achieve that goal that will prosper. Life isn't meant to be easy! If it were easy we wouldn't learn what it's like to truly appreciate something. Hard work makes you appreciate the journey you had to make in order to achieve something. You value it so much more. That applies to everything almost! Relationships with others and with Christ take work as well. You can't remain too complacent with where you are or too content with your comfort zone. Spirituality is supposed to be about striving for more Christ-likeness which, of course, takes work. It takes fighting through temptation, habitual habits, struggles, doubt, and many other things.

     God appreciates when you work hard. He wants you to know He notices your work and shows you through blessings and revelations! In Deuteronomy 15:10 it speaks of even working on your character. Be a person that's generous and selfless. God will recognize your love to help others and your hard work to be a servant of Christ.  Just know that what you do doesn't go unnoticed. You just have to be open to receive the gratitude He tries to show you. It may even be through other people! Now, this doesn't mean we have to work all the time. We are supposed to rest when we need it, and take time to sit and observe the things and people we have to appreciate! 

                                                                        Questions/Application

• How do you work hard in your day to day life?
• How can you apply hard work to your relationship with Christ?
• When is a good time to rest? 
• What do you feel you have to appreciate?