No stranger to hard work...

14 “Issachar is a strong donkey,
    crouching between the sheepfolds.
15 He saw that a resting place was good,
    and that the land was pleasant,
so he bowed his shoulder to bear,    and became a servant at forced labor.
Genesis 49:14,15
These verses are from the midst of Jacob's blessings on his sons.  When he gets to Issachar he recognizes him as a hard worker.  When he found a place that was good to settle down, he CHOSE to work hard, even placing himself in a place of submission.  Very few of us choose to work hard.  We view it as the curse, when that is not at all the case. God made us to work and to enjoy the fruits of our labors.  It is a blessing to be no stranger to hard work. The curse is when that work and it's fruit are frustrated and thwarted.  Our mindset often is that if we work hard we should get a bonus- more than expected or agree upon.  It fits in with our culture of entitlement.  But that is not a biblical mindset. We are stewards entrusted with part of God's creation, expected to work hard, and to gain fruit.  When we do, we will find fulfillment in our calling and God will be glorified. Everyone wins.  Blessings are always better than bonuses.