Is Work Supposed to be Hard?

Dear reader, 

Who ever told you that this life was going to be easy lied to you. 

This life is far from easy, and even further more, it has been crafted in such a way that is to be suffering in its purest form. 

Due to the choices of Adam and Eve we still reap the consequences from the inevitable choices made in the Garden of Eden that day. 

It would be extremly wrong for us to think we are past that point in history, and we shouldn’t think about that but focus on the here and now. 

Sin is still ever present, and we would be so foolish to ignore our flesh and the Enemy of our souls. When the fruit was eaten a part of the consequence of their actions God said that Adam would endure hard labor. Work was to be tedious and it was meant to somewhat hurt. 

I can relate to this very clearly. As of my last letter to you I was working at a cookie and cracker factory. Not a job I wanted, but a job by God’s grace I needed to accept. 

I’ve been there for about 9 months now, and when I say it’s hard work I mean many different things. 

The work can be very stressful.

The work involves loud noises and miscommunication.

The work involves standing in one position for many hours on end. 

The work involves a bunch of sinners who don’t always get along with one another.

The work stifles most of the gifts God has given me to use. 

The work is filled the opportunities for my mind to wander indefinitely due to there being little to no need to think in order to work. 

The work is hard. 

I could make that list so so much longer, but I’ve learned very quickly that if you look for all the things you dislike or don’t enjoy about your circumstances, you will find them. 

But. 

If you look for all the ways that God has been faithful and good to you in your circumstances everything changes. 

The work has lead to amazing friendships. 

The work has given me time to prioritize prayer, scripture memorization, and meditation, and worship. 

The work has allowed me to learn new skills. 

The work has grown my resilience. 

The work has given me chances to throw out seeds of gospel truth to many others.

The work has led me to be more submissive to God than I ever have before. 

The work has blessed me financially to take care of most of the bills due to the great Appendix Trial.

The work has further refined my trust in God, my faith in Him, and my character according to His word. 

Now I recently was able to get moved to a different department. I have gotten the privilege to pack Saltine Crackers (An upgrade from the Chocolate Chip Cookies.) This role is 102% easier then where I was, but it involves 12 hour shifts whenever I work. 

I say all this to bring it all back to the undeniable fact. 

Work will be hard. 

It’s supposed to be.

It’s not bad to acknowledge what is hard about the work that God has given you. 

Just know that you are meant to work the field He has placed you in. 

The gifts and the skills He places within you are for you to work for His glory. 

It might not look like it right now, but I guarantee you can’t see the grand scheme at play from the heavenly perspective God has. 

Wait on Him. 

Trust Him. 

He can’t disappoint you. 

It’s impossible. 

Sincerely Your Newly Promoted Saltine Packer, 

-Mitchell