Work More, Talk Less:
I was reading through Proverbs the other day and this verse challenged me:
“All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty.” Proverbs 14:23
Do you have a dream or goal that you hope will become a reality, but hasn't yet? Is there something you endlessly talk about doing, but just can't seem to get done?
I can relate- I talked about starting this blog for over a year, but I didn’t make any progress until recently. Talking about writing accomplished nothing. Sitting down and forcing myself to write is what produced results.
Many of our dreams remain unrealized simply because we talk too much and act too little.
Talking is easy. Dreaming is fun. Hard work is...hard. And frustrating. And time-consuming. And exhausting. So instead of committing to the work we ignore it, procrastinate, or make excuses.
We keep talking about the things we hope to do someday, all while avoiding the very steps which make realizing the dream possible.
Imagine how much we could accomplish if instead of merely talking about our dreams, we started working to achieve them?
I've found that I can stay committed to my work when I shift my focus from how frustrating the process can be, to how rewarding the results will be.
I'm also learning to stop along the way to recognize and celebrate my progress. Celebrating small wins is encouraging. It gives me a sense of accomplishment and fresh excitement to keep going. I want to continue working when I see results!
Think about how satisfying it would be to turn your dream into a reality, or to reach that seemingly elusive goal. How would you feel? What would you do to celebrate? Let these thoughts inspire you to action.
And if that’s not enough motivation, here’s another thought:
God wants us to be good stewards of our time, resources and talents.
When we work hard, we bring Him glory. When we invest and multiply what He gives us, He entrusts us with even more.
If you feel discouraged because you’ve been “all talk and no walk”, don’t despair.
When I first read this verse in Proverbs, "All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty," I was convicted. However, I was also encouraged, because in it we have a promise from God: “All hard work brings a profit." All of it. Even if it's hard to see at first.
I'm also inspired to work hard when I remember that God has made me to be a diligent person. And the same is true for you.
We can be productive and hard-working when we understand that it’s part of our identity as believers.
The truth is, we are people of action. When we gave our lives to Christ, we were made new and filled with His resurrection power. Christ has empowered us to be people of diligence, discipline and excellence. We just need to practice acting according to our true identities.
And here’s one final thought:
When we feel weak and tired, God gives us renewed strength and energy to continue working.
Isaiah 40:29-31 says this,
“He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”
No matter how hard the work is, God is with us. If we put our hope in Him, He will fill us up and help us succeed.
I don't want to live a life filled with poverty and regret because I merely talked and never acted. I want to be someone who's life reveals the blessings that come from hard work.
I want to work more and talk less. I want to step out and trust that the Lord is with me, filling me with His strength, and guiding me- even when I make mistakes.
I want to bring Him glory by being an excellent steward of the time and resources He gives me. And I want to enjoy the satisfaction of a job well done and a life well lived.
If you feel the same, then today let’s repent of fear, laziness, and inaction. Let’s start acting on the things God has put on our hearts. Let's be people who not only dream big, but also trust God and work diligently, because we know that our hard work will bring a profit.
VERSES TO PONDER:
“All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty.” Proverbs 14:23
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” 2 Corinthians 5:17
“He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” Isaiah 40:29-31