2025-11-19
Proverbs 17:22 NKJV
Solomon wrote, “I recommend having fun, because there is nothing better for people in this world than to eat, drink, and enjoy life. That way they will experience some happiness” (Ecclesiastes 8:15 NLT).
If you are wise, you will take those words to heart. The impact of laughter is well documented. Studies show it lowers blood pressure and reduces hypertension. It reduces stress hormones and cleanses the lungs and body tissues of stored stale air, because laughter empties more air out than it takes in. It increases immune functions in the body. On top of all these benefits, laughter triggers the release of endorphins – those “feel good” chemicals in the brain that make you feel happy These are the identical chemicals released when some people, after a prolonged period of running, experience a runner’s high. That’s why the Bible says, “A merry heart does good, like medicine.” So, take advantage of every opportunity to have a good hearty laugh. Laugh at your mistakes – especially on the job. Shed the superwoman or superman image, and start having fun.
This doesn’t mean you have relaxed your standards of excellence; it just indicates you are aware of the fact that you and those around you are human. So have some fun; be a good sport. Don’t allow life’s pressures and negative circumstances to snuff out your sense of humour. Laughter reflects positive emotions and makes you a lot more enjoyable to be around.
Nobody enjoys a sourpuss; laughter can also take your mind off what’s stressing you. So, laugh often, and remember, “The joy of the Lord is your strength” (Nehemiah 8:10 KJV).
Soul food: 2 Chr 25-28; John 12:20-36; Ps 102:12-17; Prov 27:10-12
2025-11-18
Colossians 3:15 NLT
How much peace do you display? How well do you respond to the difficulties in your workplace? Are you always tense or complaining? Is your desk neat and organized, or are there huge piles of paper all around? Disorder can be mentally unsettling and stress inducing, and wear down your peace. What about your overall behaviour; are you always fuming over coworkers’ mistakes? Have you learned to stop sweating the small stuff? Have you stopped to think about what a poor testimony it is not to reflect peace, which is a fruit of the Holy Spirit? “The Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control” (Galatians 5:22-23 NLT).
What about your daily drive to work? Do you sit down in your car with the aim of keeping a peaceful atmosphere no matter the circumstances you encounter on the road? When was the last time you prayed for a bad or unkind driver? Do you play calming music? The right music can be an excellent source of peace.
When King Saul was tormented by an evil spirit, his servants told him, “Let us find a good musician to play the harp whenever the tormenting spirit troubles you. He will play soothing music, and you will soon be well again” (1 Samuel 16:16 NLT). Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you” (John 14:27 NIV). That means wherever you go, you can take the peace of God with you.
Soul food: 2 Chr 22-24; John 12:12-19; Ps 102:1-11; Prov 27:7-9
Kolossense 3:15 NLV
Hoeveel vrede stel jy ten toon? Hoe reageer jy op struikelblokke by jou werkplek? Is jy altyd gespanne en besig om te kla? Is jou lessenaar netjies en georganiseerd, of staan daar stapels papiere orals rond? Wanorde kan geestelik ontstellend wees, stres veroorsaak en jou vrede steel. Wat van jou algehele gedrag? Vererg jy jou altyd oor kollegas se foute? Ontstel die klein dingetjies jou? Besef jy dat dit ‘n baie slegte getuienis is om nie vrede, wat ‘n vrug van die Gees is, uit te straal nie? ‘Maar as die Gees ons lewe beheer, is die gevolg: liefde, vreugde, vrede, geduld, vriendelikheid, goedheid, getrouheid, sagmoedigheid en selfbeheersing…’ (Galasiërs 5:22-23 NLV).
Wat van jou daaglikse pendel werk toe? Sit jy in die kar met die doel om ‘n vredevolle atmosfeer te behou, ongeag die omstandighede wat jy op die pad mag teëkom? Wanneer laas het jy vir ‘n slegte of onvriendelike bestuurder gebid? Speel jy kalmerende musiek? Die regte musiek kan ‘n uitstekende bron van vrede wees.
Toe koning Saul deur ‘n bose gees getreiter is, het sy amptenare vir hom gesê: ‘Laat ons iemand kry wat goed op die lier kan speel. Wanneer die bose gees u lastig val, sal die musiek u kalmeer sodat u gou weer beter sal voel’ (1 Samuel 16:16 NLV). Jesus het gesê: ‘Ek laat vir julle vrede na; my vrede deel Ek met julle…’ (Johannes 14:27 NLV). Dit beteken dat waar jy ook al gaan, jy die vrede van God saam met jou kan neem.
Sielskos: 2 Kro 22-24; Joh 12:12-19; Ps 102:1-11; Spr 27:7-9
2025-11-17
Spreuke 16:9 NLV
Wanneer jy na ‘n nuwe huis toe trek, reël jy ‘n datum vir die verhuisingsmaatskappy om te kom, jy skuif jou rekeninge na die nuwe adres toe en jy pak jou besittings in bokse gemerk slaapkamer, kombuis, badkamer, ensovoorts. Beplan soortgelyk vir die volgende fase van jou lewe. Hier is ‘n paar wenke om te volg sodat jy gereed kan wees vir watter deur God ook al oopmaak:
1) Stel ‘n plan vir finansiële onafhanklikheid op. Dit sluit versekering, pensioenfonds en boedelbeplanning in. Jou versekeringspolisse moet ook jou verband dek, vir ingeval jy ongesteld raak en nie meer kan werk nie.
2) Wees buigbaar. Nadat jy die eerste helfte van jou lewensreis gehardloop het, mag jy dalk besluit om van rigting te verander. Wat jy tans wil doen, mag dalk oor twintig jaar verander, of dit mag dalk anders wees as wat jy twintig jaar gelede wou doen. Die wonderlike aspek van die lewe is dat dit nie saak maak hoe oud jy is nie, jy kan altyd weer begin en geleenthede mag dalk in die toekoms ontstaan wat jy nie nou kan voorspel nie.
3) Bly op hoogte van tegnologie, wat ‘n groot deel van die moderne samelewing is. Diegene wat nie die nuutste tegnologie kan of wil gebruik nie, sal moeilik sukses behaal. Benewens tegnologie, is dit ook belangrik dat jy op hoogte van ontwikkelings in sakevaardighede; kommunikasie, onderhandeling en etiket bly. Dit alles is noodsaaklik om in ‘n veranderende wêreld sukses te behaal.
Salomo het geskryf: “‘n Mens beplan sy koers, maar die Here bepaal sy bestemming.” Die woord vir jou vandag is dus – berei vir die volgende fase voor.
Sielskos: 2 Kro 19-21; Joh 12:1-11; Ps 76; Spr 27:4-6
Proverbs 16:9 NCV
When you move into a different house, you arrange a date for movers to come; you change the phone, electricity, and cable to your new address; and you place your belongings in boxes marked bedroom, kitchen, and living room, etc. Preparing for the next phase of your life is similar. Here are some tips to follow so you will be ready for whatever doors God opens:
(1) Compose a plan for financial independence. This involves insurance, retirement, and estate planning. Your insurance policies should also cover your mortgage in case you become incapacitated and unable to work.
(2) Always give yourself flexibility. After you have run the first half of the race of life, you may decide to switch direction. What you want to do right now may change twenty years from now, or it may be different from what you wanted to do twenty years ago. The delightful thing about life is that no matter how old you are, you can always begin again, and opportunities may exist in the future that you can’t predict now.
(3) Stay current with technology, a major part of modern society. Those unable or unwilling to utilize the latest technological tools will have a hard time succeeding. In addition to technology, it’s important that you stay up to date with developments in additional business skills; communication, negotiation, and etiquette are all essential to succeeding in a changing world.
Solomon wrote, “People may make plans in their minds, but the Lord decides what they will do.” So, the word for you today is – prepare for the next phase.
Soul food: 2 Chr 19-21; John 12:1-11; Ps 76; Prov 27:4-6
