Is There a Way to Work Hard and Trust God?
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Do you know that feeling you get when you’ve made up your mind to do something, and suddenly all you can think about is how to accomplish it? This can be a big purchase, a life transition, or anything similar. But it’s something that will take planning, and a good bit of hard work.
The second verse in this short passage reprimands the workaholic. My ESV translation of Psalm 127:2 says “It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil; for he gives to his beloved sleep” (emphasis added). That phrase “anxious toil” stood out to me as it paints a picture of someone who can never work hard enough. They work long hours and barely stop to eat, believing that if they do, they won’t earn enough. They won’t be enough if they rest. What a miserable existence.
But our modern society is not one that prioritizes rest very well. Numerous self-help books and blogs will tell you how to get rich quick if you just work hard enough. Most people are encouraged to have a five-year plan with a goal and steps for how they will get there. The mark of a great person is often someone who “grinds,” or works harder than anyone else to achieve their goals.
The verses we listed above remind us that hard work is good. But it should not be prioritized over rest. God grants sleep – rest – to his beloved people. He even made rest a commandment for the Israelites: “Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy” (Exodus 20:8).
When we are planning for a big change--a move, a pregnancy, a new car, a bigger church building--we can easily get wrapped up in working so hard to make those things happen. But stopping to rest, both physically and spiritually, is an important part of that. Remember, it isn’t us building the house on our own. Pause and pray about this transition.
Have you thanked God for giving you the opportunity to work and earn extra money? Have you asked Him for wisdom and guidance as you plan this new thing? Have you just paused to worship Him and tell Him what you are excited about?
Listen for what His plan is. Maybe take a nap. And then get back to work.
Big changes can be so exciting! Humans aren’t meant to stay the same way our whole lives. But moving from one life phase to another often takes a lot of planning and work. And while that planning part can often feel stressful, it doesn’t have to be. Psalm 127 reminds us that the weight is not on our shoulders alone. If you’ve prayed about this change and are faithfully following Christ in your everyday life, then be confident in the steps you are taking. We are free to work hard when the time is right for that, and we are free to take naps when we need them, too.
Be a good steward of the time, money, and resources that God has given you. Be open-handed if other ministry opportunities arise. But above all, move forward confidently and prayerfully as God leads you into this new, exciting phase of life.
More from this author
Shake Off Shame and Enjoy Grace
Following at Jesus’ Feet: a Recipe for Perfect Rest
What Do We Get out of Scripture Memorization?
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Bethany Pyle is the editor for Bible Study Tools.com and the design editor for Crosscards.com. She has a background in journalism and a degree in English from Christopher Newport University. When not editing for Salem, she enjoys good fiction and better coffee.