How To Handle Stress At Work

http://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/stress.jpg

 Whether you like it or not, stress at work is inescapable. No matter how you tried to keep things under control, you will experience bombshells in the workplace.I'm not exempted from this wonted working scenario. Occasionally I was stressed out by the unforeseen incidents at work. Especially, if I missed out salient tasks. I know when stress is zapping me already because I experience some kind of mild chilling and I can feel my knees weakened. As soon as I feel those unusual feelings, I rebuke it and utter a silent prayer for God to calm me and keep me focus on the situation so I can figure out, by His grace what to do. Let me share with you, some tips I've learned for five years of working, in handling work-related stress.

Stress Factor #1-Angry Boss

Why is the boss angry? The common answer is---it's either you missed doing an important task or you have this recurrent job inefficiencies. Bosses are usually pissed of when an employee keep on repeating same mistakes even though they give clear instructions on what to do.

Solution:
Don't freak out when the boss is furious  because of your mistake. Be humble and polite in your conversation with him/her even if he/she is already shouting at the top of his/her lungs. "A gentle answer turns wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger." Proverbs 15:1. Consider this Bible verse as a reminder for you.

Stress Factor#2-Unfamiliar Tasks/Assignments

You might be given an assignment or a particular task that  you are not familiar with. What's annoying is the deadline associated with that task. You are like, "What the?! How will I do this?" Then you started to feel dismayed and pressured that you can't think of a way how to solve your problem and meet the deadline.

Solution:
One best way to start this "new challenge" for you is to ask questions. Ask your boss on how to do the task. I believe a good and concerned boss is willing to help you accomplish your task. He or she might give you some tips if necessary. Do not assume. Always ask if you are not sure on what to do, and how to do it. Have a talk with old employees who knew the company's system and procedures.
 
Stress Factor#3-Unmet Deadlines

Do you like deadlines? I don't. Because deadlines make me feel pressured to accomplish the task. So when I'm pressured, I'm also stressed. But you know that deadlines are good motivators? If you only see the positive side of it, you will realize that a deadline serves as a motivation for you to accomplish the given task without any delay. Since you are looking on that particular date to finish the project or particular task given to you, you are now aware that every second of your working time is important. And that there's not time for your "para mag petiks." Because of deadline you will feel some sense of urgency, but still should not be pressured if you know the procedure on how to do it.

Solution:
To avoid inconvenience, aim to finish the given task or assignment before the deadline date. This way you won't be stressed out when the deadline date comes because you are prompt in doing your task. The boss will actually get angry at you if she/he gives you deadlines but you are not able to accomplish on the said date because it's either you are procrastinating things at work. Know what to prioritize in your job. Be prompt in accomplishing the task given to you by your boss.

Those are few to mention among the many factors of stress causing situations in the workplace. I hope these tips help you in handling stress at work. Make this your inspiration: Colossians 3:23, "Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people." When you have this mindset, working for you no matter how challenging the task is, won't be that burdensome. You will experience a hassle-free, stress-free working life when you consider God as your Big Boss rather than men.

Say Goodbye To Your Past

armstrongismlibrary.blogspot.com

“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up, do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland."-Isaiah 43:18-18



Your past played a significant role in who you are today.There are times that even when the past events of your life were gone a long time ago, it still affects you at present and the effect may be extended in your future. But God is speaking to you, not to dwell on the past because whatever happens to you in the past, no matter how broken you were, it doesn't matter anymore. Because God is making something new and beautiful in your life now. If your past consist basically of bad memories, each time you look back you get hurt. You cry, your heart is filled with sadness, bitterness and regrets. And our loving Father in heaven, doesn't want you to dwell on negative feelings and thoughts that when get worst, may affect your health and your sanity. God wants you to anticipate the future with positivity. But how can you be positive of your future when you don't have faith in God? And how can you have faith in God when you don't know Him. Don't worry, I will tell you the basics. 

Being born to a Christian family is not a life of bed of roses.It is a life of thorns and bushes actually. I experience hardships and struggles that are no joke to everyone. When I was a kid, I ask God more often than not why we we're poor (with the thoughts of: we believe in Him. My parents are  both pastors who were in the church pioneering ministry. My family is serving the Lord, but why we are lacking this or that?) Why I don't have even some of the nice things, my classmates have. Why I need to walk several kilometers just to go to school  everyday (without "baon" pa yan) while others can afford their own means of transportation. I ask God why my bed for 17 years is made of wood with no foam (matigas, pag pagod ka hindi nakaka relieve ang humiga sa papag) while others have different types of bed like waterbed, airbed, etc.etc. Basically, I ask God for material possessions other people have that we don't have. But when it comes to my family, our relationship to one another, that I am always thankful to the Lord. I grew up with my parents, who taught me about God and his Word. When I learn how to read the Bible, my knowledge of who God is grow,as time goes by. The more I read the Bible, the more I become positive of the future because God through his word reveal his plans for me. And the more I talk to God through prayers (some of it were silly requests,hehe), the more I become attached to Him.Reading God's Word daily, will enable you to have the right perception of who God is. You will know that even though God is Holy and seemed like a "strict father" He is also loving, compassionate and forgiving. So there it is, if you want to know God so you can fully trust him of your future, start it with a prayer and reading the Bible. Not only you will know what pleases and displeases God but you will also know his plans for you. His purpose in your life, even before you were born.

My past is both bitter and sweet in taste. Sweet because I experienced the grace and goodness of the Lord. Through the years, He never abandon me, no matter how many times I disobeyed him. His provisions are so obvious that I was able to graduate from college with honors with just this P20 daily allowance and 1 set of uniform. Anyway, during my college years, each time I walk few kilometers ahead before I ride a jeepney or bus (para kumasya lang yung pamasahe ko), I'm telling myself, "matatapos da ining kahug-anan nga ginadanas ko.makaka-graduate da ako kag makakapagtrabaho." That's in our native dialect in Sibuyan Island, Romblon. It means, this hardship will come to an end one day. I will finish college and get a job. By God's grace, it happened in 2009 when I finish my degree in Journalism, Cum Laude. Praise God for that! Who would have thought na yung walang budget sa pag aaral sa kolehiyo na tulad ko, makakapagtapos ng pag aaral. It's all because of God's grace. So ngayon, iba na iniisip ko when I commute for work. "Nangyari rin yung pinaniniwalaan ko noon, yung sinasabi ko sa sarili ko tuwing naglalakad ako pauwi."

One of the bitter ingredients of my past, are the wrong choices I've made in getting myself involved into romantic relationships. I don't know why, but it seems that I had some crazy inclination with a  "bad boy" type of guy before. Yung parang Robin Padilla lang ang peg. Hahaha! I had a boyfriend before that look like Wiz Khalifa. The idea of having a thug love story is what triggered my excitement and curiosity. Church girl vs. Gangsta, ya know. But when I've found out that having a ghetto boyfriend is a misery, plus he has this not so good old habits, I got turned off and eventually broke up with him. I was so ashamed of myself. How did I get myself that low? What happened to my standards? Thank God, by His grace, I didn't go all the way with him. Then I got involve with a musician as well, who made my world upside down but made me realize that romance pursued not on a right time and place and with the wrong person could end up a disaster. Thank God, by His grace, He really didn't allow me to give up myself for these guys I'm head over heels with. The "moving on" process is both painful and traumatic. There are times that I kind of feeling scared to have a boyfriend again. I feel like I can't a trust a man anymore. Like whatever he will tell me, my brain would protest, "that's a lie!" But of course, I'm human and I'm capable of loving, so I know I can't say no to love the second time around but I'm cautious na. And I decide to wait for God's best. God will tell me if he is the one.

When I read Isaiah 43: 18-19, my God telling me to forget the past. Leave all the pains and not so good memories behind because He is making something new in my life. I obey, kahit masakit. That's the best decision I could ever made, obeying my Father in heaven for He knows what's best for me. In New Living Translation it says, "But forget all that--it is nothing compared to what I am going to do." 

I am anticipating that God must have really something beautiful in store for me that even my past is nothing compared to what He is going to do in my life. That's exciting,isn't it? God won't tell me to drop what I'm holding on or clinging to if He doesn't have a much better thing to give me in return. Last Sunday's message in our church is entitled Surrender your Isaac. It's about surrendering something or someone to God that might take God's place in your life. I learned that when you surrender to the Lord, surrender with faith and anticipation, just like Abraham. 

My friend, no matter how bad your past was it doesn't matter anymore. Because God's love for your is greater than all the pains and mistakes you have in your life. All you have to do is surrender yourself to Jesus. Let him be the Lord and Savior of your life. I guarantee you, when you commit your life to Christ, you will never be sorry.

http://www.liveluvcreate.com/index.php?site=image&id=112066