Work Hard - God Will Give you Rest. This past week I was on vacation at home with no plans other than a big “to do” list that I made for myself. Instead of spending time relaxing and doing “nothing” I chose to take care of things around the house I had not had the time to do in the past three years. So I wonder, why did I choose to be busy during my week off when I could have chosen to be relaxing doing nothing? Why do I feel that if I am not being productive all day long and every day, my self-worth suffers?
While all the things I did at home were needed and enjoyable, like organizing my office and printing pictures for my photo albums, I could have just watch lots of TV, lay in the sun, go shopping, or visit with more friends. Why do I feel like I have to be producing something all the time and feel guilty if I just sit for a moment? On the other hand, I am so busy during the normal week days when I’m working that I don’t have time to do certain things I like to do at home. Therefore, I decided to take time off work so I could focus on those things and get them done…
I believe the times we’re living in encourage us to always be busy and occupied doing something. Working women face the bigger challenge to perform at work and also take care of our homes. Is our society making us this way? Or is it my personality that wants to be busy all the time? Send me your comments.
Today, I would like to share one of the devotionals from my book, Devotions for Working Women, that cautions us to not burn out and simply seek the rest we need in God. Enjoy!
Work Hard, but not to an Extreme. God Will Give You Rest.
# 15
Psalm 127:2 (NLT)
It is useless for you to work so hard from early morning until late at night, anxiously working for food to eat; for God gives rest to his loved ones.
Many women work too hard, work long days, and end up exhausted, with nothing left to give their families, and get burned out. For some women, it has caused them their health or their marriage. They end up having a nervous breakdown, heart disease, and many other illnesses or disorders.
God wants us to have a balanced life. He is a God of order and balance. We are to be diligent and work hard, but then we need to trust God and know “He gives rest to his loved ones.” As we pray and ask the Lord on a daily basis to balance our day, we will accomplish everything He wants us to do for that day and be satisfied. We can pray David’s prayers: “Guide my steps by your word, so I will not be overcome by any evil… Show me the path where I should walk, O Lord; point out the right road for me to follow” (Psalm 119:133, 25:4 NLT).
God rested on the seventh day, and we should too. Don’t work so much that you miss life going by right before your eyes. Make time to be with your family and loved ones. This will actually give you renewed energy to go back and work hard again. Set a goal to work more efficiently and effectively versus working long hours.
Remember, the Bible says it is useless to work so hard unless God is in it. He will give you rest.