All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty. (Proverbs 14:23, NIV)cross
 
Hard work always pays off; mere talk puts no bread on the table. (Proverbs 14:23, Message)
 
Hard work is worthwhile but empty talk will make you poor. (Proverbs 14:23, Contemporary English Version)

Work?  Yes, work. Only real work brings genuine results. Taking shortcuts only brings false results. The results from taking shortcuts may fool people, but they are not genuine and they will not last.
 


As an avid fitness fan, exercise has always been a part of my lifestyle. I work out at the gym, several times each week and have participated in various types of exercise over the years including weight training, step aerobics, cardio kick boxing, pilates, power walking and swimming. I enjoy challenging myself to achieve my personal best. Now don’t get me wrong, I’m not a fanatic or proponent of the “no pain, no gain” school of thought. But I do push hard and as a result have had an occasional injury or muscle pull.
 
A few months ago I began to feel discomfort in my right hip flexor muscle. I tried several remedies, but the pain continued. Since it lingered on and on, I decided to consult with my doctor who referred me to a physical therapist. She questioned me, did a very thorough assessment and I was confident that she would be able to fix the problem. At the end of the examination I expected her to take me into the gym area to begin therapy. Instead she did something totally unexpected; she printed out several pages of stretches and exercises, explained the proper way to do each one and sent me home to do them. Imagine that! There was no easy fix, no quick solution; I had to work on my own problem. She just showed me what to do and agreed to see me again in a few weeks to check my progress.  I had to do the work.
 
Too often people go to church or to their pastors or counselors with problems and expect easy fixes or quick solutions.  The truth is that the problems have developed over time and will take time to solve. Even when we pray we often expect God to send an instant answer.  Can God solve our problems miraculously and immediately? Absolutely, and He sometimes does, but more often than not He sends us home to do the work. It is a process that will take time and effort on our part. He will guide us with His Spirit and give us direction from His Word, but we have to apply the principles daily. We have to do the work.