Does stress impact our confidence? Today I’ve asked my friend Tracie Miles, author of Stressed-Less Living to share how stress once diminished her confidence and threw her into a pit of doubt causing her to question her ability to fulfill God’s plans for her life.
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Although it was seven years ago, I remember it as if it were yesterday. Every morning I dragged myself out of bed, dreading another stressful and emotionally draining day at my job. A job which I had grown to hate, working for a supervisor whom I had grown to fear.
Not only was I overwhelmed with job stress, I was trapped in a deep pit of despair that was filled to the brim with doubt, low self esteem and zero confidence.
My heart and my mind were ravaged with turmoil. I had a demanding and stressful workload and a supervisor who used continual harsh words and often unwarranted criticism.
Even though I gave 100% and tried to do my best, I started doubting whether or not I was good at my job. Eventually my doubts began to creep into my personal life as well. Thoughts like “maybe I’m not a good enough wife, mother, sister, daughter, friend…” plagued my heart. Self condemnation started consuming my thoughts, and eventually I hit an all time low in self-confidence.
Juggling all the stress and pressures of the workplace was nothing compared to trying to carry the crushing weight of self-doubt.
The time finally came when I admitted I needed to make a change in my life. You see, I knew God had been calling me for several years to lay down my job, and allow Him to lead me into new places, but I had been too afraid and too insecure. But change was necessary, or else my physical and emotional health would continue to decline.
I resigned from that position, and although I no longer had the stress of corporate responsibilities, my life was still filled with many other stressors. Yet, upon leaving my job, I picked up my Bible more than ever before. And when I started making my walk with Christ a priority, I came to realize that even though my life was still stressful, my heart was at peace.
Why? Because as my faith grew, my self confidence grew with it. You see, I was coming to realize that my value is based on who I am in Christ, not who a supervisor said I was. I embraced the acceptance and value God promises, tucked in Deuteronomy 14:2, which says “You have been set apart as holy to the Lord your God, and he has chosen you from all the nations of the earth to be his own special treasure.” (NLT)
As my heart slowly healed from the brokenness of a broken person’s words, my spirit began to soar. God helped me understand that my value lies in Him, not in the approval or acceptance of the world. I need not base my self worth, intelligence or value based on what man or woman says, but on what God says about me instead.
It was a long journey, but the more I kept my eyes focused on Christ, the more my self confidence increased. I not only discovered my confidence again, I also learned that God is the answer to our stress, no matter what form it comes in.
And I finally found a calmness in my spirit that was not present simply because I left a stressful job, but because I had embraced my unstressed God: a Savior who loved me, despite my mistakes, sins and imperfections. My Jesus who told me I was His precious treasure, even if nobody else saw my worth, including myself.
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God not only showed Tracie the path to acceptance, self-confidence, and worth in Him, but He used her experiences as the training ground to build a story in her life which is now the basis of her new book, Stressed-Less Living: Finding God’s Peace In Your Chaotic World.
Today we’re giving away 3 signed copies to three of you! Leave a comment below this post and share with us something that is currently causing you stress. I’ll share too.
To find out more, be sure to visit Tracie’s Stressed-Less Living website: www.stressedlessliving.com . And if you purchase Stressed-Less Living between Sept 30-Oct 7th you’ll receive 7 FREE GIFTS.
Stressed about leaving my son in FL to go to college 10 hours away
Thank you so much for this blog post Tracie. It tugged at my heartstrings in so many ways. I remember when I first graduated college and was working as the laboratory manager of the molecular diagnostics program at Virginia Tech. It was a standard government job. Forty hours. No more. No less. But, I was there most days for 12 hours or more. It was a great opportunity but the stress I placed on myself was killing me. I was making little money but the work was intriguing. Yet, I never felt satisfied. Although I loved trying to discover the cause of diseases, I knew in my heart that God wanted me to be an active part of the healing process.
My thoughts began to revolve around the old dream I once had of becoming a pharmacist. I had been on the other side of that counter numerous times and I wanted to make that person feel less alone and frightened. Internally, I was struggling with this issue as well as the doubts and fears which had begun to arise in me due to an emotionally & physically abusive relationship. I can still recall the day that I decided to take a risk and move to the coast of North Carolina to move in with my sister and her new family. I had always been independent but now I was admitting that my life wasn’t perfect. But, as soon as I left, I began to feel a peace surround me. Looking back, I am amazed how, by taking that step, God began to ease many of my fears. I found a job in a pharmacy where I met a wonderful woman whose husband had just left her and needed a roommate. We became best of friends. That move eventually led to one divine encounter after another. Work became a joy. I eventually began working for the behavioral hospital there as well as for the military and ended up applying for the doctorate program at UNC.
However, I still had not given everything over to Jesus. Years of hard work and an endless string of abusive relationships began to erode that stress-free facade and my body began to break down. I decided to take medical leave and was unable to return due to a host of events which were out of my control. Yet, throughout the horrific next few years, I can now look back and see that God had another plan for me.
Through complete and utter dependence on Him during those years, He began to build a faith in something larger. My anxiety and depression began to lessen. Although I still struggle with the words that come of out of my mouth as well as the ones in my head due to years of abuse, I am in awe of the change He has made in my heart. As a woman who can’t remember not feeling stressed, I am simply thankful for the peace that He is developing. Throughout the past two years, God has surrounded me with His Word and the stories/voices of others during those dark moments. I discovered a voice that was there prior to the abuse and I found that words can bring even greater peace and healing than medicine ever did.
I have been on both sides of the coin of stress-homeless, abused, ill, financially broken. Yet, I am still trusting that in those dark moments, He has a greater plan. I just moved recently and the stress has been more than I can bear at times. However, I know that when God places something on my heart, I have to respond even if it doesn’t make sense at the time. I didn’t want to get out of bed this morning but I did and I found your post. It was such a reminder that even though I feel lost, He still uses the words of others to speak His truth into our souls. Although I feel out of control, I don’t have to act out of control. Even if my car has been beat up since I moved here. Even if I don’t understand how I will ever be able to pay the medical expenses & loans. Even if I don’t know what job God has for me. I know that He has drawn me closer to His will than ever before. And, when God places a need on my heart, I have to trust that He will equip me or position me so that He will be glorified. That is my prayer. Of course, when I write, I can see the positive but there is a gnawing sense of restlessness in my chest which is beginning to cause me to feel that burden of stress and fear. And, I must repeat the mantra of my church: “I believe God for greater.”
I have enjoyed discovering all of the wonderful resources through the Proverbs 31 Ministry. It had been truly a blessing for me to find other women who struggle with things I can so identify with on a daily basis. Surrendering my stresses is a daily challenge for me. I appreciate all of the wisdom I receive from reading the other comments. Thank you for sharing.
I agree with you Suzanne. I look back to my life prior to finding Proverbs 31 Ministries and I see a completely different person. The words of these women have given me such hope during some difficult challenges. Although I am still a work in process, I am so grateful that God has used this ministry to help me release the stress, anxieties and fears which used to torment me. It’s wonderful to know that I’m not alone and that there is someone out there with a similar story to my own or one who has different perspective on the situation.
I too have been struggling to release the stresses in my life. I think my biggest stress comes from our house. Now that our kids are grown and we can really start focusing on the house, it seems we’ve let it go for too long. I would almost rather move out than try to fix it.
Anyway, I have been praying lately for the Lord to show me why I am so “obsessed” with the fact that our house isn’t perfect. Still no answer, but I know He is faithful.
With the house in the shape it is in, me not really happy with my job, and finances not being what they need to be to have someone else do the work, it feels overwhelming and somewhat hopeless. We’ve done alot to the house through the years but now I am noticing the structural issues, and frankly, I am tired of working on this place!!
Yep, I think that is my biggest source of stress.
Right now I am dealing with the reality of a divorce, living with my sister (Thank You God for letting me find a place to be) having to give up the pets and a job that I hate. I just keep on going though, knowing that God has something planned.
I’m so sorry Tracie. I will be praying for you. Although i have never been married, I know how difficult it is when a relationship is dissolved even if it is for the best. Compile that with losing some pets which made your day brighter must be difficult. Your words “Thank you God for letting me find a place to be” ripped at my heartstrings because I am there as well. I am currently in transition right now as well and have been for awhile and it has been very difficult but I know in my heart that God has a plan. God has been faithful in so many ways over the year as I continued to pursue Him in spite of my circumstances. Just keep on trusting in Him. I know that He will answer all your prayers in ways that you never would have imagined.
I would love to read this book! I put so much pressure on myself to “do it all” and spend too much time comparing myself to others, most of whom are in totally different situations! When I don’t follow the feeling to just unwind, relax or set something aside for awhile, it just boils over onto my family and that never turns out well for anyone. Funny how I can admit this but often, in the moment, can’t seem to put it into practice!! 🙂 I have to just remember to hold fast to the promise that God does not leave us on our own ever, and whatever the situation, He is still there.
I am so excited to see this book come out! I have been following Renee through some of the Confident Heart study, and now working through “UNGLUED” for the 2nd time……I am ready to take that to the next level with this book/study!!
I have started a new business about a year and a half ago, and scary as it was, got the ball rolling, had money in the bank, no worries. In the past few months, the money has not been as readily available as before, and at times we aren’t sure we can make it. I have never had such a time in my life that I knew I had to completely trust God to provide where necessary. Funny thing, He does!! This has definitely put a little stress in mine and my husbands life.
Dear God, Help Me Please…
Ugggg. Today I am stressed (much much more than yesterday).
I came home after Bible Study tonight and “Something” told me to check her ears out.
Without hesitation I obeyed, and was instantly mortified!!!!!!!
I looked in my little doggie’s ears and she has ear infections. Yes, plural, “ears”, not one, but BOTH ears.
Her inner ears are so red and swollen, and there is drainage that is dried up…ok I’ll stop with the details.
I must confess, yes, I do feel horribly negligent as I am typing this.
I just looked at her while asking myself how could I be such a horrible “mom.” I broke down crying even more while apologizing to her.
She just looked back at me. She appeared to be sad, although her beautiful brown eyes always look sad, particularly when she is just sitting still and staring. But she looked sadder than normal. Oh how I wish she could talk to me.
I “laid hands” on her ears and prayed in faith asking God to please heal her right away, comfort her keep her from future ear infections, and all other illnesses.
I prayed also for God to please provide the resources I need to take care of her needs as well as my expected and “unexpected” needs.
I really didn’t need this. She didn’t need or deserve this either.
I already was stressed out about finances. (* the top of the list)
Just yesterday the panel on my car notified me that not one, but BOTH brake lights are out.
Hummm, I could’ve sworn I just got those or at least one of them replaced less than 5 months ago. I’m gonna check my car paperwork.
Sigh. No more stress God. Please God, no more.
I can hardly wait to dive into Tracie’s book. God knows I need all the help I can get.
I could go on and on about the stressors of my current circumstances, but I would probably be “blocked” from ever commenting again and there would probably be some sort of red flag identifier tag like
” real downer” that pops up.
In all seriousness, I know that I can call my Abba who knows my needs before I do. I know He is true to His Word and will provide all of my needs. He’ll pick me up when I am down.
Jehovah Jireh, my Provider. Jehovah Rapha , Jehovah Nissi, Jehovah Shalom He is the Great “I AM.”
I love that He doesn’t block my calls (lol) .
Thank you, for all of your resources and encouragement. I am blessed all the more for them.
PS: I can’t wait for the Bible Study for Stressed-Less Living to come out as well. I know this for sure I will be signing up for that one 🙂
God Bless You All
Loretta
Being a single parent is stressful enough, then losing your job adds to that. I was unemployed all summer, thankfully got a job but am very underemployed & underpaid. Adding to that is the fact that my kids’ father hasn’t paid support for months and I have to keep calling to push the state to go after it.
I do try to enjoy the time with my kids, watching band and soccer and having them in my life. Just trying to figure out why He has my life the way it is and has been for years now.
Wow…Tracie’s narrative describes my life circumstances to a T right now. Always grateful for your blogs Renee. They have God’s finger prints all over them :-).
I broke my arm two weeks ago playing sports. I’ve not been at work for however long I need to recover but one thing that has gotten me all stressed out is whether I am able to play again, to do the things I love to do again. I broke my dominant arm, so, it’s been scaring me a bit. I pray for complete healing and restoration, but I do tend to stress quite a bit…
I feel stress and was playing on going to the doctor for “irregular ” women issues. Just trying to receive encouragement from God and to move forward.
Current stress –> Employment and Lost Loved ones :((((
Stress is very hard to avoid in this life. I remember when my hair used to be all black and now day by day stress changes it color 🙂 My job becomes very overwhelming at times and I feel like I am buried under work. My co-worker just had a heart attack so now I have double the work. Every now and then the question of if I am a good enough wife pops into my mind. Sometimes I don’t always remember that Jesus says be anxious about nothing. I need to remember that God is always there with me no matter what I am going through and He will never leave me 🙂
I am currently stressed and depresses I am 20 years old trying to go to school and work at a local hospital. I have been sick and have been to the ER and many doctors and still doing test to figure out what is going on.I have missed a lot of work because of this. I went in for a interview for a different position that would give me a regular full time schedule . I had them sold other than my attendance. I wanted this job so bad we are struggling with money and I feel like I am not providing for me and my husband . It doesn’t help that I get lectured at everyday about it! I am trying so hard and I feel like no one sees.
I need to realize that the work I do doesn’t define who I am. I feel if I only……… then I would feel fulfilled. It never works, and I KNOW I shouldn’t feel that way, but tell my heart that. If I could only be at peace with where I am at. I don’t need to prove anything. God won’t love me any more than He already does.
Amen. I understand. I am in a job I know God has called me.. working with K and 1st in ESOL population as a teacher. I have my strengths and weaknesses. Supervisors lately have been negative with me.. Reminding myself what God thinks of me in scripture
My marriage causes me stress.
It has been a long stressful past three years, full of loss for our family….BUT God. It is difficult some days, but I know God is with me and I am just holding on to the strings of His coat tails, praying for the strength to keep hanging on. I am glad God never lets go of us! Thank you for your encouragement!
I’m currently battling battling cancer and recently returned to work, i just started chemo treatments 3 weeks ago and my stress comes from the management at work. They were trying to fire me while I was out on medical leave, now they are questioning whether I am sick because I dont look sick. I serve God and my faith and strength comes from him. Thank you for the message.
Anything stresses me out, unfortunately. As I walk closer with God, it is getting better. I really need this book.
I am struggling with anger and my children carry the brunt of it because I’m home with them. The other day I had a thought that caused me to break. My kids could die and go to hell because they have an angry mommy who doesn’t act like God is real in her life. I’m working to correct this with God’s help, but learning to be stress-less would be such a help.
I could write a book just on the amount of stress that I have! A 2 yr long custody battle for children (that has led my current marriage into therapy b/c of the stress from that!) opening my own business within the last year, moving 5 hours away from everyone/everything I know- including my family at my church and having a VERY difficult time finding the right church now……
LIFE in general! Some days, I literally feel like my head turns around in circles! I can’t eat b/c everything but water and crackers make my stomach hurt. I don’t exercise any more b/c I am too tired, depressed, or stressed!
ARRGGHHH!!!! Something has to give somewhere!
So after reading this today, my number one priority is daily devotional in God’s word. Try to open my heart and let go of some of the anger and allow God to help me heal.
Prayers Please!!!
After reading all the stress that many of the readers have experienced, I cannot complain much about my piddling problems. Yet the “little foxes that spoil the vineyard” sneak in to steal my joy and give me anxiety that translates into a stress in life. The book , “Stressed Less Living,” could be an antidote to those little incidences in life that the enemy uses to keep me from the enjoyment of living for Christ.
Tracie spoke at our Women’s Retreat last year – she is an amazing woman & I am SO looking forward to reading this book!!
My husband & I just completed our last fertility attempt to learn we are not pregnant. To say the least, we are disappointed. I am still believing God for a miracle but can succumb to the stress of unanswered questions in my weak moments. Please pray for us. PS I would enjoy reading the book you mentioned.
Heidi – I have walked in your shoes & can relate to what you are experiencing. After unsuccessful IVF attempts, my husband & I chose to pursue the Snowflakes Frozen Embryo Adoption Program through Nightlight Christian Adoptions, and have not regretted one single moment of it! http://www.nightlight.org/snowflake-embryo-adoption/ We have our son Matthew (almost 6) because of Snowflakes, and 2 years later had our son Andrew (almost 4) through “spontaneous” – aka God – pregnancy. I can’t promise you the same results that we have had, but Snowflakes has been a tremendous blessing to our family. I cannot say enough good things about them. (((hugs))) and I pray that God gives you His peace as you are journeying down this very difficult path.
I’m stressed with what it is I’m supposed to be doing in life. I enjoy what I’m doing now, but I wonder if this is where I’m supposed to be or am I supposed to be doing something else with my life.
Renee,
Thank you for that email. I DEFFINTELY NEED A STRESS FREE LIFE. WE ALL DOO. I am 23 with a husband and 2 sons ages 2 & 4. My parents are one of my stresses as I feel that I am their mom and they are my children. My mom is a drug addict and my dad an alcholic, for the past 18 years of my life they have been in and out of prison/jail and have recently got into an altercation after they have been divorced for 18 years and they are putting me in the middle and I dont want to have to choose. I just wish my children could have normal grandparents. I am also dealing with a husband who makes 16.00 an hour and works 80 hours every two week, but only brings home 260 every two weeks. So his check only pays part of daycare and my paycheck pays, rent, food, gas, insurance, and the other half of daycare. We don’t qualify for any assistance, because they look at his gross income and not his net income. I hate stressing everyday and wonder where we are going to get food from or gas from. IM EXTREMELY STRESSED AND DEPRESSED. I went to the doctors to see if i could get help and ended up with a $130.00 doctor bill, so needless to say, I cant back there until thats paid. Im at a loss…IM TRYING TO DEPEND MORE ON THE LORD. INSTEAD OF MY OWN STRENGTHS. I JUST DONT KNOW WHERE TO START. Well that is some of my stresses, but there is TONS MORE! So I would LOVE to get this book, BECAUSE I AM IN DYER NEED OF HELP! HELP! HELP! I feel like because of everything that is going on with my parents to my husband it comes out on my children and it hurts my heart, because i feel like a horrible mom, i know they want a happy mom, but i just dont know anymore…..
Girl! I believe God led me to your post. I’m so sorry for the burden that you are bearing right now. It sounds like you feel like everything is falling down around you. I have been there too. Different circumstances but same hopeless feeling. It’s so difficult when you feel as if the weight of the world is on YOUR shoulders. When you feel as if you are responsible for creating a safe environment not only financially but emotionally for those around you, that weight feels even heavier. And, I know what you mean about not knowing where to start. I’ve found that it’s easy for me to “depend on God” when everything is going well but it wasn’t until I lost everything that I found that I wasn’t truly depending on Him. I was still in control. And, for a long time, I told God that I had surrendered everything to Him but I would still try to pick up this piece or that piece of my life and try to “fix” it myself.
It was a gradual process but I challenge you to explore faith in Hebrews 11. God has a story that he wants to write about your life. And, it is those messy pieces which He wants to use for His glory. When I tried to be strong by myself, eventually something would crumble but when I started giving one area of my life over to him (health, career, home), He began to show up! It wasn’t easy though and still isn’t. In fact, I felt alot like you earlier today. I think it is important to take small steps like you did here and allow God to do the rest. I found that one action would help me feel better. Even if that means taking a walk or distancing yourself from the situation. For me, it was often about simply journaling and getting my feelings on paper, writing out a prayer or reaching out to others like you did here.
I have so much compared to others & in comparision my problems at times seem petty, but that doesn’t make me any less stressed. Due to a hip problem that has yet be diagnosed live in extreme pain & can’t even sit up very long, which means even using my wheel chair doesn’t allow me to do much. Each month God has shown me how I can hang on financially, when there seems to be no way. Instead of helping out Daddy he is having to take care of me & now he is facing knee surgery. I want daily updates on my Grandmother (in the hospital) but spending hours on the phone with my mother ranting & raving is more than I can handle some days. Then if don’t call feel guilty. (Mother was taking care of her parents & my dad (step). Granddad died in March, Dad in July, & now Grandmother …) I want so much to help others & I can’t even take care of myself. I know God has a plan & will some how use this, but is it so hard to see some days, escpecially those when I haven’t been able to sleep.
I loved this quote from you- “but the more I kept my eyes focused on Christ, the more my self confidence increased. I not only discovered my confidence again, I also learned that God is the answer to our stress, no matter what form it comes in.”. I have found with my stress of wanting to quit a weekend and evening job to be with my family more that the more I pray about it, the less stressed I am about it. I haven’t quit yet – I still feel this is where God wants me right now – but know something different is coming along soon!
My grandson is really stressing me out. He is rebelling against both of his parents and I find it so hard to deal with him. This is causing me to worry more about him and when I think about what he’s doing I just get sick to my stomach and sometimes I find it hard to even prayer about it. I journal and I find it even harder to write about it. The part that gets me more is that he knows better. He’s 13 and has been taught right from wrong. I guess that ‘s what hurts the most. This is the first time I have even written anything about this situation. Sorry to burden you.
Thank you for this post. We serve an amazing GO
I’m turning 48 in Dec. I have been single now for 7 yrs. I had no desire to date for the first 6 yrs after my break up. In the last year I have put myself back out in the dating world. It has been so, so hard. The rejections have broken me down so low that I find myself doubting that I can ever truly be worthy of being loved.
I’am trying my hardest to try and rest in the arms of my Heavenly Father.
Thank you for your wonderful post! I have always been quiet and shy and well I guess worried about what others might think of me. I have recently started a new career and had no confidence in myself. I would tell myself today you can do anything! But when I went out to talk to people about my company its like I shut down. Reading your post has given me so much encouragement for today!
Thanks!
Melissa
WOW – what Tracie described is so real! I felt like she was writing my own thoughts. I have been repeatedly told that my “perfectionism” is what is keeping me so uptight. I would like to learn how to let go and be more carefree….to not have so many self-doubts about my worth – to learn not to be a “people-pleaser” in hopes they would simply like the “real” me……
Dads third and totally different battle with cancer.
Wow, when I read those first few paragraphs, I could easily relate. I’ve been working at a job for 3 years that has eroded my confidence, leaving me feeling not good enough, and oftentimes finding myself in the black hole of despair and hopelessness. By God’s grace, with the help of many of the daily devotions of Proverbs 31 Ministry and other books by Renee and Lysa, I am being reminded of who I am in Christ, God’s great love for me and to live in His promises. Thanks for your ministry to all women!
As a single parent, finances keep me worried at night. While God has always provided for us, the uncertainty of making it through the month is hard. Unfortunately my job is also stressful at the moment. While I do not fear I’ll lose my job, I’m uncertain I have what it takes any longer to perform all that is demanded.
I am currently 19 weeks pregnant with my third child and I work for a female boss whose idea of child-raising is to make sure there is a babysitter at home while she is pursuing her career. I cannot afford daycare and my husband and I both need an income to pay our bills. I want to speak with her about working from home part or full time but am nervous about her reaction. I desperately need confidence and a trust in God’s plan to lead me in the direction I need to go to take care of my family. Renee, your book has been most helpful and I thank you and all the readers for posting such encouraging words.
As a mommy of a 21/2 year old and new beautiful baby girl born June 27, my life has been filled with the new stressors that are created with bring home baby #2. We found a approximately a week after Sophia was born that she was born with a genetic disease called cystic fibrosis, my whole world came to a sudden stop and I could not even take a breath without crying for my baby girl.
We have faced cystic fibrosis head on and have no plan to ever let it get in our way but with that has come a few added cares for Sophia on a daily bases. Along with this I have chosen to return back to work to my part time job.
I feel like prior to all of this I was not that confident of a person added to it the guilt of the diagnosis, I am sufficating in stress that I am allowing myself to have. I dont feel like I am a good mommy to Jacob because when he asks mommy can you play with my I am either busy feeding Sophia, giving her treatments caring for basic baby needs and sometimes I am just tired and dont want to get down on the floor to play, which in turn makes me feel more guilty and the cycle goes on!
Trying to make it out of the house in the morning with everything going on is very stressful and I start worrying about it the night before and no matter how prepared you are children are unpredictable.
My husband is helping but he is busy with his job and I feel like if I am frustrated I take it out on him which in turn cases more guilt….the dreaded cycle!
I turn to God but as soon as the pray is over its all over and the stress and guilt just sit back down on me.
I would love to feel less stressed for my family but feel like I am caught in a cycle this is my destination to feel on edge all the time.
Stress seems to be a constant companion for me, especially as a single mom trying to juggle everything. This book sounds like a must read for almost anyone 🙂 Thank you!
Stress is making me sick. There are too many things to do and not enough time in the day. I am trying to stay focused on Jesus, so the stress doesn’t build up. It is so hard most days. Would love to win a copy of Tracie’s new book. Hopefully I could find the time to actually read it 🙂
Tracie Miles really shared her heart and what happens to a lot of women who are in the work place. Supervisors tend to only want more, more, more and forget that we are not machines. A simple thank-you goes a long way on a job. We (women) also tend to forget that our jobs are not our source, but GOD is. Once Tracie realized this she began to soar. We live in an imperfect world, but we serve a PERFECT GOD. Thanks for helping me to remember whose in control – My Father God, not the world (job)
I experience stress constantly especially at work (which I am trying to change) But after attending a Girlfriends conference on 9/29/12 with Renee Swope I KNOW there is peace and hope for me!! I am sharing it with a fellow coworker who is going thru the same thing as I am It is a daily battle but God on my side we will be triumphant.
Learning STRESS should be stress,
and God should be GOD in my life!
Stress can rob us of so much in the wonderful life God has given us.
I love that I can pray and give over my stress to God. Thank you for this healing message
This is just what I needed to read today. I fell stressed about my job, the feelings of not being a good wife, mother, friend, sister, or co-worker are consuming my mind. I feel like giving up but I know that God has me here for a reason, not sure what the reason is but I am here for something. Reading this just gave me some answers like I need to stay in the Word more than I do and I can go to the Father and lay it all down in front of Him and he will answer. Thank you !!
Just like Christina G., I have been experiencing so much stress and anxiety, my IBS has rendered me nearly useless. We moved out of state about a year and a half ago. It was my first “real” move away from all that I have known, and it’s been rough. With the added pressure of staying positive for my kids, I have just buckled under the pressure of it all. Not having my family and friends and church and community for support has made a much bigger impact in our lives than I ever dreamed. Renee, your book has been so great to read, and I look forward to reading Tracie’s!
I’ve allowed myself to be pulled into the demands of this world (aging parents care, dtrs. marriage that was just postponed after everything has been arranged for and paid for, son who has returned home abruptly with a mental disorder, running a small business and have put aside the time spent in God’s Word opting to listen to Christian Radio thinking that would fill the gap-somewhat but certainly I’ve lost the peace/joy and my confidence is in the basement. – seems like one more thing on my to do pile – nobody gets satisfied – hmmm, I picture a juggler, juggling but he’s dropping more objects than he’d like. A hamster wheel – but how do you get off. Help!
A daughter who is on the mission field and expecting her first child. She and her husband are having trouble getting back into the United States. God is in control and we put our faith and trust in Him. Sometimes I “think” He needs a little help from me….ha ha ha…..I just have to keep trying to pull it out of God’s hands.
I have a son who is trying to live life as a recovering drug addict, whom the drugs have done a real number on his mental health, did i mention he lives with me! my daughter who lives with her dad bounces from one teenage high and low, approving and loving and wanting a relationship on the highs, dropping me, trashing me and leaving me love-less on the lows. my mom is elderly in poor health and my only sibling is in poor health who has been out of work for nearly 2 1/2 years. i’ve taken a new job, starts in 2 weeks and will be required to travel for the first few months but it promises finanical security and opportunities i felt i couldn’t pass up. i AM SOO STRESSED and yet trying hard to remember i am not alone and God’s love is constant and secure so even when i feel lost, alone and like the world and it’s weight is going to drown me, He will lift me up! prayers PLEASE!!
Tammy
I can so relate to this blog post and I think the book is going a valuable resource. I too have been wondering if God is calling me to do something else and make a change in my jobs…