She asked if we could visit about her business. The fear, fatigue, and frustration were painfully apparent. She was using phrases like: “I can’t do this anymore,” or “I don’t have the strength.” She said: “This new information is so overwhelming, I’ll never learn it all.” Yet her passion to help others was still as vibrant and strong as ever.
Sound familiar? If technology has done anything, it has put so much data at our fingertips we get dizzy just trying to figure out anything. One could argue that decision-making sure was easier when we didn’t know very much! The outcomes might not have been as good, but the process sure was simple.
Today, we become so overwhelmed by information or customer demands or legal requirements, we seem crushed by an avalanche of obstacles.
If you find yourself in a similar situation, consider these thoughts that may help you proceed to victory.
- Live life one day at a time. I finally took to heart Jesus’ words: “So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring worries of its own. Today’s trouble is enough for today.” (Matthew 6:34 NRS) Man, what a difference! My life was transformed. Sure, we need long term planning, but life is to be lived one day at a time. We are not meant to carry tomorrow’s burdens. Don’t even try.
- Find joy in each day’s work. I know, joy can seem a million miles away. But it’s all around us. Paul tells us to walk in the Spirit and we’ll receive “ . . . joy . . . ” (Galatians 5:22). With your team, your customers, your vendors, your suppliers – everyone; be guided by the Spirit of Jesus and joy will overtake your daily life. It will come abide in you and take its residence throughout your entire being.
- Now, here’s the fun part. When you feel like you can’t go on. When you are convinced you have no strength to move your business or ministry forward, read and meditate on Nehemiah 8:10: “ . . . the joy of the Lord is your strength.” Are you kidding me? If I receive the Lord’s joy, it is the source of my strength, which will enable me to carry on? Yep! You read that correctly.
Now, are you following all of this? We
- Live today only focusing on today
- Find joy in each day by following God’s Holy Spirit in every movement, conversation, and activity
- Realize joy will give us the strength to fulfill all of our responsibilities for that particular day
Our lives are full of choices and that certainly includes our businesses and ministries. The smart strategy here encourages us to invite Jesus into our workplace and allow him to lead us toward a life in the Spirit. The fear, fatigue, and frustration will quickly melt away and be replaced by the joy of the Lord.
We live one day at a time.
We look for and experience his joy throughout that day. Consequently, we are energized and strengthened to serve more people, develop our teams, and love our families. Talk about a winning strategy.
If you have experienced being overwhelmed by fear, fatigue, and frustration in your work, give us your comments on how you might use the message in this blog to help you overcome.
If you already live one day at a time and find joy in your work, please share with us how and when you started. Share your experiences in finding Joy in your business or ministry and enjoy the benefits of sowing and reaping.
May each of you be overwhelmed, strengthened, and blessed with the abundant joy of Jesus within you.
About Mike Van Vranken
Mike Van Vranken is a writer, speaker, retreat leader, and teacher. Following forty years of leading, coaching and developing business owners, Mike founded Mike Van Vranken Ministries to fulfill his passion to bring Jesus to the world around him. He brings his experiences as a mentor, leader, speaker, coach and entrepreneur to provide teaching and spiritual leadership to all who are interested. His dream is to deliver the teachings of Jesus to women and men, old and young, poor and rich, people of every background and diversity – to the entire body of Christ.
He holds a Masters Degree in Theological Studies from the University of Dallas and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Arkansas.
He and Barbara, his wife of 42 years, live in Shreveport, LA.
Discover more about Mike at: www.mikevanvrankenministries.org as well as Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, Pinterest, Instagram, and Google.
Mike, this is an excellent post. I’m honored to have you on my team as a guest blogger.
I absolutely find joy in my work! I get to associate with people like you! Whether as an employee or entrepreneur, I’ve found joy in relationships. That doesn’t mean I’ve never experienced fear, fatigue, and frustration; but it does mean I’ve been able to press through them with the help of friends, family, colleagues, and Christ.
Thank you for sharing your insights with us.
Jory
Hi Jory,
Concerning fear, fatigue and frustration . . .
For fatigue and frustration, I think sometimes we simply have to have the understanding and foresight to just stop and selfishly (in a positive sense) take genuine care of our own well-being and physical/mental/spiritual health. Otherwise, we head for burnout rather quickly.
Even God rested after six days of creating! That’s what the Sabbath and sabbaticals are for . . . rest, refreshment, recharging and reconnection (with self and loved ones).
For fear, we’ve been discussing that for years, haven’t we? It depends on what kind of fear we mean, what kind of stuff we are made of and how solid our faith is. If we are small-lived, mean, judgemental and don’t work on our faith, then one big crisis or terrible event and we can lose everything. If we are huge-lived, generous, inclusive (as Christ is inclusive) and work daily on our faith, then we will ‘get’ how perfect love drives out all fear and will be able to tackle anything as long as Christ walks arm in arm with us in the midst of it.
Best regards,
Elaine
And I’m sure He does!
Thank you, Elaine, for lending your voice/perspective to the conversation.
Grace and peace to you in abundance,
Jory