WHEN THERE IS TENSION IN YOUR WORKPLACE

There are days at work where there is tension. Between staff and clients, co-workers, owners and employees, vendors and recipients. Wherever there are people and differences in opinion, stress can ensue. This can be especially impactful in our workplaces depending on how we handle it.

As Christian women, we have a tool box we can reach 'into' at any time to help us diffuse tension and reduce stress or anger when faced with it, work included:

"Let the peace of Christ keep you in tune with each other, in step with each other. None of this going off and doing your own thing. And cultivate thankfulness. Let the Word of Christ—the Message—have the run of the house. Give it plenty of room in your lives. Instruct and direct one another using good common sense. And sing, sing your hearts out to God! Let every detail in your lives—words, actions, whatever—be done in the name of the Master, Jesus, thanking God the Father every step of the way." (Colossians 3:15-17 MSG)

SEVEN TOOLS FOR US TO HELP REDUCE TENSION AT WORK

1. PRAY FOR PEACE - ask God for His peace. Invite it into the situation. Maintain your composure as you pray.

"Peace I leave with you; My peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." (John 14:27)

2. REMAIN TEAM FOCUSED - not only are we a part of a team in our workplaces, we are also on Team Jesus. Keep focused on the team aspect as you face tension, not the situation which could divide you.

"I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought." (1 Corinthians 1:10)

3. CONTINUE TO BE THANKFUL - refuse to partner with discouragement and allow negative thoughts to overtake your mind. Remain thankful overall for your job, your coworkers, your clients - even if you have difficulties at times.

"Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)

4. LET THE WORD RULE WITHIN - spend time in His Word regularly, so that when you are asking for His help, God can bring timely words back to your mind when you need them.

"Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellence or praiseworthy - think about such things." (Philippians 4:8)

5. SPEAK WISE WORDS - Share wisdom as you speak to one another, as you depend on Holy Spirit for His guidance on the right words to share when appropriate.

"The Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you." (John 14:25-26)

6. KEEP WORSHIPPING - Keep praise and worship songs playing on Spotify or your devices on a regular basis. Sing along whenever you can, considering it an important part of maintaining a close relationship with God.

"You shall worship the Lord your God and Him only shall you serve." (Luke 4:8)

7. GIVE IT ALL TO HIM - Whatever we do - at work, at home, wherever we are - we are to offer it all to God as an offering.

"I appeal to you therefore, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship." (Romans 12:1)

TAKING THIS TO GOD IN PRAYER:

God, I often feel stressed and occasionally angry when faced with a difficult situation at work. I thank You that You are always with me, and that nothing I face is ever a surprise to You. Help me to pause and pray, wait for Your wisdom, and follow Your prompting as I respond to tension at work. Your Word reminds me that You not only equip me but are with me when I am up against more than I can handle on my own. May I keep studying Your Word, praying for Your guidance, worshipping You for who You are, and regularly give You thanks for all You have done and blessed me with. I give all of me back to You again now with a grateful heart. In Jesus' Name I pray, Amen.

"Every day brings a choice: to practice stress or to practice peace." - Joan Borysenko

When I am very stressed or overwhelmed by a difficult situation or unresolved tension in my work place, one passage reassures me that God is not only alongside me but helping me in ways I cannot even discern. It is my other key Word passage in my toolbox at work:

“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to Me. Get away with Me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with Me and work with Me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with Me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” (Matthew 11:28-30 MSG)

What verses help you in navigating tension in your workplace? We'd love to know!

Blessings as you stay close to the One who can best help us in every situation and season,

Karla, Christian Women at Work

The Solution to your Resolution

There is something extraordinary about the fresh pages of a new yearly planner. I love to look at the blank pages, and I get excited about what goals I want to set and how to plan my time. During those moments, I cannot help but reflect on the past year, what I accomplished, and what I had hoped to accomplish but did not. The blank sheets invite me to consider the question, “What can I do differently this year to complete my goals and work on my dreams?" and represent places to write my solutions, or how I can change something to achieve my dreams and goals.

What are your goals, commonly known as “resolutions,” for this new year: to be healthier or to start a new job, maybe to pursue a dream you have had for a long time?

Consider your new planner as a “blank slate” (which is defined as “something with no existing restraints that can be freely developed”), which will help you to reach your goals. To be successful with your New Year’s Resolution, you must be mindful of the solutions to being successful.

So, what can you do differently this year? As always, God has provided direction for us in His Word:

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.” (Proverb 3:5-6)

1. Let yourself be a “blank slate."

2. Trust God and lean on Him to eliminate any “existing restraints” keeping you from doing His Will and fulfilling the potential and dreams He has given you.

3. Submit to Him and allow Him to make your paths straight so your plans can be freely developed.

Taking This to God in Prayer

Dear Heavenly Father, Thank You for this new year and all its opportunities to serve You, bless others, and honor You with my thoughts and actions. This year, I feel that You are leading me to accomplish the following things (add these in here). Lord, if my goals are not in Your will, then please present obstacles and make it clear to me that this is not Your will. Lord, help me to trust You with all of my heart and to lean on You, not my understanding. Lord, I submit this year and these plans to You, knowing that You will make paths straight towards them if they are in Your will. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

May God richly bless you this year as you trust Him, lean on Him, and submit to Him.

Bonny, Christian Women at Work

Our Focus at Work in 2024

"But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." (Matthew 6:33 NIV)

As we begin to venture into this new year lying out ahead of us, many of us are focused on goal setting or planning for our businesses. And there is nothing wrong with doing so.

For those of us who are Christian business women, we are to be primarily focused on God, His kingdom, and His character.

Before we focus on our work, we are to first be mindful of His work.

How do we do this? These four steps make each day I begin this way the days where I am able to maintain my focus on God and His ways:

1. Start in His WORD.

I love to reread the New Testament every year, and remind myself of how Jesus lived His life among us, and the impact He had on His disciples, those He ministered to, and the church he established through them. This helps me remember that I too am a part of His church, His kingdom here on earth!

2. Start with GRATITUDE.

I honestly believe that an attitude of gratitude better equips us to face the harder days. Making a list of three things/people for which I am thankful for has become a habit I have continued since I first began several years ago after reading Ann Voskamp's book, 'One Thousand Gifts.' This attitude reminds me to look for how God is moving and blessing me each day, through His Presence and provision.

3. Start with PRAYER.

I usually write my prayers in a journal. Writing about whatever is on my heart. And after I do, I pause to listen for what God would like to say to me. It's usually a prompt - sometimes a bible verse, an image, or a song, and I write it down so I can remember it later on. This helps reassure me that God hears me, and answers prayer.

4. Start with SELF-CARE.

After I take care of myself in spirit, attitude and mind, I need to do so physically. I experience Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) in the darker months, so I sit by a 10,000 watt lamp for 20-30 minutes each morning, then take my vitamins and medication, before I eat a healthy breakfast and drink my first glass of water. I alternate between reading a chapter of a book for fun, and singing along while in the shower.

Most days, I do all of this before getting ready for work. As I work both at home and onsite, these steps help align me with God - both who He is, and what He does.

By maintaining my focus on what is important to God - His kingdom, and His righteousness - I am better able to turn to Him when the day takes a turn for the unexpected, and best walk out my faith at work.

Taking This to God in Prayer

God, I want to demonstrate my faith at work in a way which both invites You to move in and through me, and gives You the honor and glory. Would You help me to focus each day on what matters most to You? Your Kingdom, Your character, Your ways. Help me to see each person I encounter as one who matters dearly to You, and assist me in treating every one through that lens of worth. May I lean into Your embrace before I face each day I am blessed with. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

I also love to read the Bible in different versions, especially if I want more clarity on a particular verse or passage. Matthew 6:33 in the Message translation really brings this verse alive in a fresh way:

"Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don’t worry about missing out. You’ll find all your everyday human concerns will be met."

What step would you add to your list on how to start your day? Let us know on social!

Karla, Christian Women at Work