On the surface, this verse might sound like a caution sign on a rocky mountainous road. But if you take a second look, it’s really about something deeper: the risk built into the work we do—the emotional, physical and spiritual weight of just living life.
You know what this looks like. It’s getting up for another hard day at a job where you feel undervalued, but you show up anyway. It’s caring for aging parents while still trying to parent your own kids without falling apart. It’s finally setting a boundary in a friendship or relationship and dealing with the fallout. These things matter—and they carry weight.
And like the verse says, sometimes the very work you’re doing to build something good can leave you bruised.
But here’s the hope: you’re not swinging the axe alone.
When you invite God into the work—when you pray before sending that hard email, or take a deep breath and ask for wisdom before answering your teen’s heavy question—you’re not just surviving the day. You’re sharpening your spirit. You’re growing wiser. Stronger. More grounded.
Life’s going to have sharp edges. That’s just real. But you don’t have to avoid the hard things—you just need to walk into them with intention, with prayer and with a heart that’s open to God’s guidance.
So today, whether you’re sorting through laundry or making life-altering decisions, remember: even the splinters and stumbles can shape something sacred. You’re capable. You’re called. And with God’s help, you’re carving out something beautiful—one faithful swing at a time.
