Faithbase

Well hey friends, I wanted to share with you something else on the drive home from when I posted the last video which was at the Kroger grocery store. A friend called me and was talking to me about some fear and stress that they were having at work. You know, just those demands and pressures of the professional life was feeling, you know, was leaving them feeling overwhelmed and anxious and just unsure about everything. And I wanted to share a few things with you because you might be feeling that same way too and it's important to shift the focus again from the challenge and struggle that inherently comes with professional life instead to discover the potential for growth and the the peace of God's presence that's part of our journey in the everyday. And so whether it's, you know, fear and stress at work, maybe it's fear and stress in a relationship, fear and stress in your health, whatever it is, do not lose sight of your purpose and of the bigger picture, right? Because that's what the enemy wants us to do is lose sight of that. Whether it's a job or or whatever kind of opportunity it is, don't miss out on on seeing your purpose because your purpose is not tied to the to the difficulty. Your purpose is not tied to the job or the title. Your purpose is not tied to that stress or that fear. It's tied to something that is far greater than what we could find in the workplace. And I hope that encourages you today. You know, the Bible says, don't be anxious about anything. But in every situation, by prayer and petition with Thanksgiving, present your requests to God and the peace of God which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians chapter 4 verses 6 and 7. Love those verses. You can find comfort. You can find guidance there. They can remind you that what we do doesn't define us. That what we do not have doesn't carry the weight of our fear and our stresses alone. Instead, we are invited to bring our concerns to God through prayer, offering them up. Did you hear those key words? With thanksgiving. And in doing so, we open ourselves up to eternity, to the blessings of eternity, to experiencing the peace of God that that surpasses human understanding. And it didn't say it will fix our problems. It said it will guard our hearts and our minds in the midst of the fear and the stress. Want to find strength in the midst of uncertainty, in the midst of challenges? Then do what Paul tells us to do in that passage. And God will guard your heart and your mind because the enemy wants you to lose it in times of fear and stress. And work-related stress can do it. Relational-related stress and fear can do it. But God is offering to us his comfort, his guidance, his peace. And he is reaching out to protect your heart and your mind in the midst of those moments. And so seek his presence daily. Even if you have to do it every moment, just rely on his grace to carry you through. And in these moments of fear and stress, surrender not to the worry and to the anxiety, but to him. Surrender your worry and anxiety to him. Trust in God's ability to provide and to sustain you. Find that strength in that peace in knowing that our work has meaning and purpose in his eyes, that it's not tied to a place or a title, but it's tied to a kingdom and to eternity. And we work with excellence in the midst of that. We bring action and attitude in the midst of that that reflect the love and the character of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. And so even if you are going through challenge and hard time right now, maybe you're there like my friend is, just feeling the stress and the strain of what's going on inside of their job. Look to God and embrace his faithfulness. Let him guard you. Let him protect you in those moments. Continue to work hard. Do what you have to do, whether that's stay in and work hard or exit out and do something different. But just trust that God will guard your heart and your mind in the midst of that and let the clarity help you discern what your next steps should be. I pray that God's peace and God's strength is upon you, that it brings you courage and comfort and perseverance in every step of the way, whether you are going through stress in a work relationship or a marriage relationship or a parenting relationship, wherever the stress may be. I pray all of that for you and I know that God will answer that prayer. Just trust in him and with thanksgiving, give it up to God. If you've got more questions or you want to talk to somebody, shoot me a message in the comments. Let's talk. I'm here to walk with you and to be a conversation partner in your journey of faith through this life. You are not alone. God is with you and God is able to do all things. Be great. Be blessed. We'll see you next time.