2024-04-08
Proverbs 21:5 NLT
To have job security you should:
(1) Endeavor to be as indispensable as possible. “Good planning and hard work lead to prosperity, but hasty shortcuts lead to poverty. Wealth created by a lying tongue is a vanishing mist and a deadly trap” (vv. 5-6 NLT). Strive for integrity and excellence in your work, while learning as much as possible about procedures and processes beyond your area of responsibility. Be willing to help others – but not at the expense of your own effectiveness.
(2) If the fear of losing your job stems from personality clashes with your boss, embrace the biblical principle of authority and submission. The buck stops with the person in charge. Therefore, determine to submit to anything asked of you that’s not illegal or immoral. When possible, confirm the instructions from your boss with a follow-up memo, including your feedback on the potential outcome. Always speak with respect. Be willing to go the extra mile. Don’t make excuses or try to cover up for poor workmanship. Getting along with your boss is crucial, so make doing so your special project. “Exhort bondservants to be obedient to their own masters, to be well pleasing in all things, not answering back” (Titus 2:9 NKJV).
(3) Know your marketability. Are you in a field with a strong demand for your skills, or do you need to educate yourself in order to upgrade them? If you want a raise or a promotion on the job, you must be willing to invest the time and effort to do what’s necessary in order to earn them. “Lazy hands make for poverty, but diligent hands bring wealth” (Proverbs 10:4 NIV).
Soul food: Jer 31-32; Mark 1:29-34; Ps 72:12-20; Prov 9:7-9
2024-04-07
Spreuke 12:11 NLV
As jy dink dat die perfekte lewe een sal wees waarin jy nie hoef te werk nie, dink weer. God het die tuin van Eden geskep, toe het Hy Adam geskep, en toe het Hy vir Adam gesê dat dit sy werk is om die tuin te versorg. Hoekom? Omdat werk waardigheid en betekenis tot ons lewe toevoeg. Dis hoekom die Bybel sê: ‘Wie sy grond bewerk, het volop om te eet. Wie met nuttelose dinge besig is, het nie verstand nie’ (vers 11 NLV). Kom ons kyk vir die volgende paar dae hoe om werksekerheid te hê.
Die vrees om jou werk te verloor is in die volgende kernvrese gewortel: Gebrek: ‘Hoe sal ek my verpligtinge nakom?’ Ontoereikendheid: ‘Ek is nie goed genoeg nie.’ Hulpeloosheid: ‘Wat doen ek nou?’ Eensaamheid: ‘Ek sal geïsoleerd word.’ Vir sommige mense is die skaamte en vernedering om hul werk te verloor net so verwoestend as die verlies aan inkomste. Dit kan ‘n selfvervulde profesie word as jy aanhoudend wroeg dat jy jou werk kan verloor, omdat angs jou minder doeltreffend en effektief in jou werk kan maak.
As jy dus met die konstante vrees leef dat jy jou werk kan verloor, is dit tyd om op te hou om jouself te bekommer en te begin om ‘n strategie te ontwikkel wat jou posisie by die werk sal verbeter, of jou van ‘n sagte landing as jy ontslaan word sal verseker. Jou eerste en belangrikste strategie moet wees om op God se getrouheid te vertrou: ‘Die Here jou God sal jou dan voorspoedig maak in alles wat jy doen… Die Here sal Hom daarin verbly en jou voorspoedig maak… Dit sal gebeur as jy jou God gehoorsaam…’ (Deuteronomium 30:9-10 NLV).
Sielskos: Gal 5:22; Jes 61; Heb 12:2; Jes 35:3-10
Proverbs 12:11 NIV
If you think the perfect life would be one in which you didn’t have to work, think again. God created the garden of Eden, then He created Adam, then He told Adam that his job was to take care of it. Why? Because work gives dignity and meaning to our lives. That’s why the Bible says, “Those who work… will have abundant food, but those who chase fantasies have no sense” (v. 11 NIV). For the next few days, let’s talk about how to have job security. In 2010 the unemployment rate in America was about 10 percent (approximately fifteen million workers). With statistics like those, it’s easy to see why so many of us live in fear of becoming unemployed.
The fear of losing your job is rooted in the following core fears. Lack: “How will I meet my obligations?” Inadequacy: “I’m not good enough.” Helplessness: “What do I do now?” Loneliness: “I’ll be isolated from my social network.” For some, the shame and humiliation of losing a job is as devastating as the loss of income. Fretting about being fired can become a self-fulfilling prophecy because its anxiety makes you less efficient and effective.
So if you live with the constant fear of losing your job, it’s time to stop worrying and start developing a strategy that will enhance your position on the job or assure you of a soft landing if you get laid off. Your first and foremost strategy must be to trust in God’s faithfulness: “The Lord your God will then make you successful in everything you do…. The Lord will again delight in being good to you… if you obey his voice” (Deuteronomy 30:9-10 NLT).
Soul food: Gal 5:22; Isa 61; Heb 12:2; Isa 35:3-10
2024-04-06
Jakobus 4:6 AFR83
Hier is drie belangrike beginsels wat jy in gedagte moet hou wanneer konflik plaasvind:
1) Hanteer die kwessie sonder om die persoon aan te val. Sommige van ons sal eerder die verhouding verloor as om die argument te verloor.
2) Soms is dit die beste wanneer paaie skei. Toe Paulus en Barnabas gestry het oor of Johannes Markus saam het hulle op hulle volgende sendingsreis moet gaan, het daar toe: ‘kwade gevoelens tussen hulle ontstaan, en hulle het elkeen sy eie koers gegaan…’ (Handelinge 15:39 NLV). Dis egter nie die einde van die verhaal nie. Dit het die geboorte van twee bedienings tot gevolg gehad. Wees dus genadig. Wat tans aan die gebeur is, is dalk God se manier om jou na ‘n nuwe area van diens en seën te beweeg.
3) Onthou, yster slyp yster (sien Spreuke 27:17). Wanneer yster mekaar slyp, spat die vonke. Veral tieners is meesters op die gebied om met onkonvensionele opinies vorendag te kom wat jou uitdaag en jou eerlik hou. ‘n Ou Kwaker het een keer ‘n iesegrimmige koei gekoop. Elke melksessie het in ‘n wilstryd ontaard. Vasbeslote om genade tydens konflik te bewys, het die ou man geweier om te reageer as Bessie haar voet op die grond gestamp het, haar stert deur sy gesig geswaai het of die melkemmer omgegooi het. Eindelik het sy hom geskop dat hy met ‘n boog deur die lug trek, wat die laaste strooi was. Hy het vir haar gegrom: ‘Bessie, jy weet ek is ‘n Kwaker en mag jou nie terugskop nie, maar as jy so aanhou, verkoop ek jou sekerlik aan ‘n Presbiteriaan!’
Wanneer jy die gewonde party is, moet jy op hierdie belofte staatmaak: ‘Maar die genade wat Hy gee, is nog groter…’
Sielskos: Jer 28-30; Mark 1:16-28; Ps 72:1-11; Spr 9:1-6
James 4:6 NKJV
Here are three important principles you need to keep in mind when conflict arises:
(1) Deal with the issue without attacking the person. Some of the most vicious personal attacks have been waged over religion. What a shame! Some of us would rather lose the relationship than lose the argument.
(2) Sometimes it’s best to go separate ways. When Paul and Barnabas argued over whether or not John Mark should travel with them on their next missionary journey, “their disagreement was so sharp that they separated” (Acts 15:39 NLT). But that’s not the end of the story. Actually, it resulted in the birth of two different ministries. So, be gracious. What’s happening right now may be God’s way of moving you into a new area of service and blessing.
(3) Remember that “iron sharpens iron” (Proverbs 27:17 NKJV). When iron sharpens iron, sparks fly. If you have ever been around teens, you can relate. They’re experts at coming up with unconventional off-the-wall opinions that challenge you and keep you honest. An old Quaker who bought a cantankerous cow. Every milking session became a battle of wills. Determined to demonstrate grace under fire, the old man refused to react when Bessie stomped her foot, whipped him in the face with her tail, and knocked over the milk bucket. Finally, she kicked him against the barn wall, and that did it! Glowering, he growled, “Thou knowest I am a Quaker and cannot strike thee back – but I can surely sell thee to a Presbyterian!”
When you are the injured party, that’s when you need to draw on this promise: “He gives more grace.”
Soul food: Jer 28-30; Mark 1:16-28; Ps 72:1-11; Prov 9:1-6
