Work is hard, LORD!

I have been looking for "work" for over 9 months without much success. Job hunting, writing and rewriting resumes, filing applications, going to interviews, trying to say the "right" things, getting frustrated and saying the wrong things (BTW, this strategy does not work for all you fellow job-seekers), getting "nice" rejections notes and phone calls (this is rare, wonder what has happened to this practice?), etc., etc., has been the theme of 2009 for me and I have not enjoyed it one bit. Okay, traveling a little has been enjoyable but to be honest the "work" part of job hunting has not produced a happy face, nor a job at this point :(

Then, of course, the LORD reminds me that "work" is not supposed to be easy, hence the word, "work." Decided to do a little digging on that one...

According to Google, work is defined as: 1) exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity (um, I was always taught not to use the word itself to define it, but oh, well, what do I know compared to Google?); 2) be employed (okay, I don't "work");
3) exercise...(I definitely don't "work" in this context); 4) move in an agitated manner (well, I surely do "work" if this is the definition ~ LOL).

These are just some of their definitions. But get the idea, work is generally hard, doing something that matters. Even mental work is difficult and sometimes physically exhausting. Goodness gracious, even talking can be work, believe me, I KNOW about that one. But the idea I am getting from the LORD is that work is supposed to be hard. Yesterday, this verse came to mind:

We are assured and know that [God being a partner in their labor] all things work together and are [fitting into a plan] for good to and for those who love God and are called according to [His] design and purpose. Romans 8:28 (Amplified Bible)

Those of us who love Jesus probably know this verse by heart ~ we use it whenever difficult times assault us. It brings us comfort to know the LORD is "working" all things together and fitting it into a plan for good. Now we know, nothing is really hard for the LORD but I think from our perspective, waiting for everything to work together is hard. My challenge was to think through the roughest thing I have ever faced and ask myself,

Did this work for good? ~ My answer is a definite "YES!"
Did everything feel good? ~ "NO!"
Was it pleasurable? ~ "NO!"
Was the "work" hard for me as GOD "worked" it for my good (and for the good of some of those involved in my life?) ~ "YES!"
Am I being blessed today because of the "work" done then? ~ "ABSOLUTELY YES, YES, YES!!!"
Would I go through it again ~ please, don't go there...

Anyway, I have to focus on the good that happened then while I am going through some difficulties now and the LORD Who brought good from awful ~

To grant [consolation and joy] to those who mourn in Zion--to give them an ornament (a garland or diadem) of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, the garment [expressive] of praise instead of a heavy, burdened, and failing spirit--that they may be called oaks of righteousness [lofty, strong, and magnificent, distinguished for uprightness, justice, and right standing with God], the planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified. Isaiah 61:3 (Amplified Bible)

Moreover, the LORD is telling me to trust Him for my family's, my friend's, and my loved one's lives. OUCH! That work is harder, LORD, somehow trusting You for them is even harder.

LORD JESUS,

Your work is easy; Your burden is light, forgive me when I have taken Your work to do myself. No wonder it is so hard. Forgive me when I have been lazy in doing my work because it seems too hard. Help me to see the difference between Your work and my work. Forgive me most of all for not trusting Your "work" in my life and the lives of those I love. Your name is Faithful and True. I believe, help my unbelief.

...that they may be called oaks of righteousness [lofty, strong, and magnificent, distinguished for uprightness, justice, and right standing with God], the planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified.