As I was spending time in devotional one morning, this thought came to me: My work is a gift to me to delight in and not a burden to bear!

Until then, I thought of my work as a burden to bear. It is something that I have to do in order to sustain my family and church. But I haven’t thought of it as a gift from God. At least not in a while. But that is precisely what it is. It is something that the Lord has given to me when I wasn’t even sure what I needed. But over time, the novelty wore off and it felt more like a burden. But that morning, as I read the word, my eyes fell on these words:  “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” 1 Thess 5:17-18

We don’t rejoice over a burden, no give thanks for them. But we do so for gifts. That means my work is a gift from God to me. Further, my church is also a gift from God to me. (Since church is work for me, I started thinking of church as a burden also…)

Delving deeper, “God works all things for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28. This further proves that what I think of as burden, God is using for my own good. That means I should see it as a gift and not a burden.

What if you saw your family as a gift and not a burden?

What if you saw your school as a gift and not a burden?

What if you saw your job as a gift and not a burden?

As least for me, it changed my attitude and mood as I approached them (work and church). It put bounce in my steps and filled me with thanksgiving rather than complaining and grumbling.

Whatever you feel to be your burden, God may have given it to you as a gift.

PH