Originally published Monday, 15 October 2012.
Welcome to Day 1 of Stress Points to Life Points!
Day 1 Stress Point Career: Who Needs Some Balance In Their Life?
As 20-somethings starting out new and exciting careers, it is tempting to jump in feet first with excitement and throw ourselves 100% into our jobs. This is a great thing until we lose balance in our life and neglect our family, our health, our friends and our God. There are seasons in life and in our career that we do need to really focus on the task at hand and spend extra hours at the office. It is when we allow those seasons to extend and we allow our life to revolve around work.
Truth Point: Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. (Colossians 3:23–24 NIV)
I love how God gives us a perfect formula to work/life balance. When our focus is on the King, when our attention is toward His Word and guidance and when our hope is to please Him alone, we will find that perfect balance.
From My Book Stress Point: Thriving Through Your Twenties In A Decade Of Drama
“As working for the Lord . . .” Whoa there! Have you ever had a Bible verse smack you in the face? This one smacked me and alerted me to a cold, hard truth. I wasn’t seeking to please the Lord with my work; instead, I was laboring to collect a fat bonus, to impress my boss, and to boost my self-esteem. After a while I realized that although this job was itself a gift from God, I was never intended to place my whole world around it. True and meaningful success comes when I work my butt off to please the Lord alone. But there’s a fine line I cross when I live with, in, and through my work as though my life depended on it. Here are a few ideas to help you maintain balance in your life with regard to your career:
~If you’re passed over for a promotion, keep in mind that you are to continue to work hard and to develop a plan for the next promotion. This isn’t the end of the world.
~Bring balance to your work schedule by spending quality time alone with Jesus. Whether that happens before you start your workday, during your lunch break, or in the evening, consistency is key. Day-to-day communication with God points your focus in the right direction.
~Remember that your paycheck, or the lack thereof, doesn’t define your worth. If you’ve worked to please the Lord, that’s all that matters. You are worthy of Him, and He loves you dearly.
~Pray throughout the day. It’s so easy to get caught up in office gossip or a customer crisis, while forgetting to bring it all to Him in prayer. The Holy Spirit doesn’t shy away from giving us guidance, even in our career. {Stress Point page 25}
Life Point: Find something outside of work to get involved in. This might be a volunteering opportunity, a Bible study or a hobby. By adding outside activities, you will stave off burn out at the office. Find refreshment and renewal each new day at work when you work for Jesus and cling to His balance for your life.
How are you going to add more balance to your life and work TODAY? Leave a comment…let’s chat!
Share it with your Friends! Tweet or FB this:
True Success at work=working our hiney off to please THE BOSS, Jesus. Col 3:23-24. #stresspointslifepoints www.liveitoutblog.com
Check in tomorrow for Day 2 of Stress Points to Life Points::Self Image.
SHARE
