Proverbs 12:24-25 “The diligent person will rule, but the slothful will be put to forced labor. Anxiety in a person’s heart weighs him down, but an encouraging word brings him joy.“

In general, industry is rewarded, while laziness isn’t. But punished with forced labor? Well, if you’re lazy enough to look for a shortcut like stealing, forced labor is where you will end up!

Anxiety, worry, and stress have all been scientifically shown to have negative effects on the body. Did we really need science to teach us that?!?!?! We all need the hope and help that kind, gentle, or encouraging words can bring. We may not always get it from others, but we can always look to God’s Word to find comfort, guidance, hope and joy.

Matthew 6:25-34 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink, or about your body, what you will wear. Isn’t there more to life than food and more to the body than clothing? Look at the birds in the sky: They do not sow, or reap, or gather into barns, yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Aren’t you more valuable than they are? And which of you by worrying can add even one hour to his life? Why do you worry about clothing? Think about how the flowers of the field grow; they do not work or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his glory was clothed like one of these! And if this is how God clothes the wild grass, which is here today and tomorrow is tossed into the fire to heat the oven, won’t he clothe you even more, you people of little faith? So then, don’t worry saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear?’ For the unconverted pursue these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But above all pursue his kingdom and righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. So then, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Today has enough trouble of its own.”