Presented by Lauren Stibgen
Are you working from a place of fear? I don’t want you to think about work as the job you are paid to do. Think of work as anything requiring your physical or mental energy to produce something. So, as you are trying to work, is fear an underlying feeling?
I know we could all describe the feelings surrounding fear which could include worry and even grief. Physically, fear can cause us to feel the tension we desperately want to release. Are you having a hard time sleeping? Does your heart race at thoughts of something you are working on? Do you get headaches?
Perhaps you are afraid of failing at something. Is there a new skill you are trying to master? Maybe a project is looming with a deadline you feel like you will miss?
Is there a threat of layoffs at work? Maybe you are afraid of losing your job. Or are you spending too much time at the office and are afraid of losing connection with your spouse or children? Perhaps a new hire has started at the office and is receiving a lot of attention. Are you afraid of losing ground with your colleagues or boss?
All of this is life tension! And it is all rooted in our thinking, or rather our wrong thinking, about a situation.
I am not saying it is easy, but the Word of God is clear. We are not to be fearful or afraid. God calls us to a deep faith and reliance, trusting in him for everything. This includes our work.
In Isaiah 41:13 the word says: For I, the Lord your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, “Fear not, I am the one who helps you.”
When fear is creating unhealthy tension, think about God being with you. He is there to help. And, if we fear anything, God is the one we must fear (Ecclesiastes 5:7b ESV).
The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man (Ecclesiastes12:13 ESV).
When you are fearful, turn that fear of worldly things to fear of the Lord. Ecclesiastes tells us this is our whole duty! Fear God and follow his commandments. One of his commands is that we don’t fear because he is there to intercede on our behalf.
Cry out to the Lord in prayer. It can be simple, “God, hold my right hand. I am afraid. I know you will help me.”
Proverbs 14:27 reminds us: The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, that one may turn away from the snares of death.