Do You Really Need Jesus?

(At Your Job)

Bill Loveless

Christ Is Life Ministries

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Copyright © 2018 by Bill Loveless Edition 1 – November 25, 2018.

All rights reserved. This book may not be copied or reprinted for commercial gain or profit. The use or copying of this material for personal or group study is permitted. Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved. Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996 by Tyndale Charitable Trust. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers. Scripture taken from the New American Standard Bible®, copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. Scripture taken from the New King James Version, copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations marked (GNT) are from the Good News Translation in Today’s English Version—Second Edition, copyright ©1992 by American Bible Society. Used by permission.

Website: www.christislifeministries.com

Email: bill@christislifeministries.com

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Introduction My 25-year business career was spent primarily in the

construction business. I first owned a trim carpentry andcabinet building company, then a residential remodelingcompanyand finally Ipartneredwitha friend fromcollege inrunning a multimillion-dollar commercial design/buildconstruction business. It was quite the roller coaster rideconsideringthereweresomeveryprofitableyearsandseveralyearswherewewerebumpingbankruptcy.

However,whenIlookbackonmybusinesscareer,Iwould

call myself a successful failure. I say this because I waseventuallysuccessfulconcerningthefinancialbottomlinebutIwasa failureas aChristianbusinessman/employer. I say thisbecause as an employer I rarely displayed a Christ-likeattitude. In fact, it was just the opposite. I was an impatient,angry,demanding,andcontrollingboss.Ibasedmyidentityonhowwellmyemployeesperformedforme.IftheydidnotmeetmyexpectationsIwouldfirethem.

All of this was driven by a fear of failure. Because of my

drivenness,Iwasconstantlystressedandanxious.Tocallmea“Christian businessman” would be a bit of an oxymoron.Instead,IwasabusinessmanwhohappenedtobeaChristian.

For those 25 years in business I faithfully read my Bible,

prayed,andwenttochurch.IdideverythingIwastoldtodoinorder to live theChristian life inmypersonal life,but Ineverunderstoodhowto integratemyChristian life intomy job(orthought itwasevennecessary).Was theresomethingmissinginwhat IunderstoodaboutChristianityandbeingaChristianin my business? Was it necessary to bring Jesus into mybusiness?Ifso,why?

Before,Igiveyoutheanswertothesequestions,Iamgoing

to take thesenext fewchapters to inviteyou toexaminehowyourjobimpactsyou.Thefirstquestionweneedtoansweris,“DowereallyneedJesusatourjob?

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Chapter One

Do You Really Need Jesus At Your Job?

I recently heard a statistic that forms the basis of thisquestion.Thestatisticsaid thatonly5%ofChristianbusinesspeopleintegratetheirChristianlife/walkintotheirsecularjob.Ithoughtthiswasaninterestingstatistic.

If only 5% are consciously inviting Jesus to work, is it

possible that we really don’t really need Jesus in ourworkplace?Afterall,wehavealltheknowledge,IQ,experience,andabilitytodoourjobs.WithallthatgoingforusperhapswecanaccomplishourjobswithoutJesus.

I recently heard a story about a successful Christian

business owner who said that we can’t mix Christianity withour business because business operates by a different set ofrules.Hesaid it is imperativetokeepthesecular(workplace)andthesacred(Christianity)separate.

Thetruthisthatwhileyoumaybeabletoaccomplishyour

jobwithout Jesus,whatnegative impact isyour jobhavingonyou internally and how does that affect you and your co-workers/employees/clients? Let’s begin answering thatquestioninthenextchapter.

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Chapter Two

What Is the Key Issue That We All Face in Our Jobs?

Introduction Iwouldhopethatyouwouldagreewithmethatforthe

vastmajorityofpeople,theprimarynegativeissuecreatedbytheirjobsisstress.BeforeIgoanyfurther,letmedefinewhatImeanby“stress.”

STRESS:

Internal and external pressures of life that

create INNER TURMOIL and ROB you of peace,

happiness, and fulfillment.

Idon’tbelieveanyoneofusescapesstressbecauseweare

living in fallen bodies in a fallen world surrounded by fallenpeople.Asaresult,wehaveinternalandexternalstressorsthatare creating inner turmoil and robbing us of our peace,happiness, fulfillment, rest, and contentment. Let me sharewithyoukey internal/externalstressorsthatcancreate innerturmoil.

WhatAretheStressorsinOurLives?

Ihavecomeupwithninemajorstressorsinlifethatimpact

allChristiansatdifferenttimes.

1. Circumstantialstress2. Relationalstress3. Physical/healthstress4. Worldeventsstress5. Culturalstress6. Satanic/demonicstress

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7. Spiritualstress(i.e.,thefleshversustheSpirit),8. Self-inducedstress9. Jobstress

Areyouexperiencinganyof these formsof stress?Would

youagreethatthestressorsyouareexperiencingarecreatingsomelevelofinternalturmoilandtosomedegreearerobbingyouofpeace,happiness,orfulfillmentinlife?

TwoKindsofStress:ConsciousandUnconscious

Before you tell me that you don't experience stress,

remember that there are two forms of stress. One form is“conscious”andtheotheris“unconscious.”Letmegiveyouanexampletoexplain.Imagineanicebergforamoment.Typicallyonly10%ofanicebergisexposed.Therestissubmerged.Icallthe exposed part of an iceberg “conscious” stress and thesubmergedpart “unconscious” stress. Let’s explore these twoformsofstressalittlefurther.

1.Consciousstress

Conscious stress is not only experiencedbut the origin of

thestressisrecognized.Examplesofconsciousstressareajobdeadline, a life-threatening diagnosis from your doctor orlearningyourchildhasadrugproblem.Intheseinstances,youare going experience a very conscious formof stress becauseyouknowthecauseofitandyoursubsequentnegativefeelingssuchasfear,anxiety,worry,etc.

2.Unconsciousstress

Unconsciousstressisstressthatyoumaynotrecognizebut

ifyoudo,youdon’tknowthecauseororiginofit.Oneexampleis the undefined “feeling in the pit of your stomach” but youdon’tknowwhat is causing it.Theproblemwithunconsciousstress isthat it iscreatingthesameemotionalandsometimesphysicalnegativeproblemsasconsciousstressbutyouarenotawarewhatiscausingthestress.

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If you are not facing negative or adverse circumstances,

then, for themoment,youmaynotbeexperiencingconsciousstress. However, unconscious stress is always runninginternallyinthebackgroundlikeanelectricalcurrentrunningsilentlyinthewalls.

Thatbeingtrue,Iwouldliketotakethenextfewchapters

to see if you identify with some of the conscious andunconscious forms of stress that you may be experiencing atyourplaceofbusiness.

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Chapter Three

Stressor #1: Expectations

HowDoIDefineExpectations?Ibelieveoneofthekeystressorsinthebusinessworld

isexpectations. Letmegiveyoumydefinitionofexpectationsasitrelatestotheworkplace.

A BELIEF that something WILL happen or

SHOULD happen.

Weallhaveexpectationsaboutour jobsandthepeopleat

our jobs (co-workers, employers and/or clients) all haveexpectationsofus.Let’slookatsomeofthoseexpectationsandtheresultwhenthoseexpectationsarenotmet.

TheDifferentTypesofExpectations

1.GeneralExpectations

There are expectations associated with every job. I call

these “general” expectations. Here are some examples ofgeneralexpectations:

• Beproductive• Besuccessful• Meetyourrequiredgoals• Meetdeadlines• Comeinatorunderbudget

However, there are three other forms of job-related

expectations.Theyareself-imposedexpectations,expectationstowardsothersandothers’expectationsofyou.Let’sstartwithself-imposedexpectations.

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2.Self-ImposedExpectationsWhen it comes to our jobs, we put expectations on

ourselves. Here are some examples of self-imposedexpectations:

• IwillearnXamountofmoney.• IwillbesuccessfulasIdefinesuccess.• I will perform at equal or higher levels than my peers.• Iwilldowhateverittakestobepromoted.

I believe that your self-imposed expectations create

internal pressure, such as, pressure to perform, meetdeadlines, or advance in your job. This pressure growswhenyour self-imposedexpectationsarenotmet.Unfortunately, asyouallowthepressuretogrowanddon’tdealwithit,thenthatpressure can result in negative feelings which, in turn, causefatigueandeventually,exhaustion.

What are some of your self-imposed expectations

concerningyourjob?________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

How does it make you feel when you don't meet your

expectations? Write down any of these words below thatdescribeyourfeelings?

Discouraged Stressed Doubtful Helpless Worthless RejectedMiserable Inadequate BurdenedFrustrated Self-condemning UnhappyAngry DispleasedDepressedParalyzed Troubled PerplexedFearful Anxious Powerless

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Overwhelmed Resentful Defeated Insecure Worried WearyUnworthy Ashamed Insecure________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

3. Expectations From Peers, Bosses, Employees, and/orClientsTowardsYou

Here are some examples of expectations that others may

havetowardsyou:

• Youwilltreatthemwithrespect.• Youwillperformyourjobtotheirexpectations.• Youwillnotfail.• Youwillmeettheirexpectationsfor

productivity.• Youwillgetalongwitheachother.

Writedownsomeoftheexpectationsyouthinkyourpeers,

bosses,employees,orclientshavetowardsyou?________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Howdoes itmake you feelwhen you don’t think you are

meetingothers’expectationsofyou?(RefertothewordsunderSelf-imposedExpectationsabove).________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

4. Expectations You Have About Peers, Bosses orEmployeesTowardsYou.

Howaboutexpectationsthatyouhavetowardothersinthe

workplace?

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• Theywilltreatyouwithrespect.• Theywillbecooperative.• Theywillrespondpositivelytoyourideas,

suggestions,plans,etc.• Theywillrecognizeandappreciatetheabilities,

expertise,andexperiencethatyoubringtothe table.

What are some of the expectations you have towards

othersinyourworkplace?________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

How does it make you feel when your peers, bosses or

employeesarenotmeetingtheexpectationsyouhaveofthem?(RefertothewordsunderSelf-imposedExpectationsabove).________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Ihopeyouagreethatweallhaveexpectationsonourjobs.

Some of those expectations are realistic and some are not.However, if our expectations of ourselves or others’expectations, realistic or unrealistic, are not met they canresult in negative feelings that left undealtwith can result instress.

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Chapter Four

Stressor #2 - FearEverybusinesspersonIhaveeverknown,workedwith,or

counseledhasexperiencedsomeformoffearonthejob.Itmaybearealorimaginedfear.Itmaybeconsciousoritmaybejustunderneaththesurface.Sincefearcanproducegreatstressandinner turmoil let’s lookata few fears thatarecommon in theworkplace.

1.FearofFailure

Noonewants to fail.For thevastmajorityofus, failure is

not inourworkDNA.Theunderlying thought inourminds isfailureisnotanoption.Wemustsucceedatallcosts.Notonlyis there the fear of failure itself but this fear brings on otherfearssuchas:

• IfIlosethisjob,whatwillIdo?• HowwillIfeedmyfamily?• HowwillIpaymybills?• WillIbeabletogetanotherjob?

Fearcanbeagreatmotivator.Towhatlengthswillyougo

not to fail? Work harder? Work smarter? Work longer? Willyoudowhatever it takesnot to fail?What if those things arenotenough?Howwoulditmakeyoufeel?

Howdo you think itwouldmake you feel if you believed

youwerefailingatyourjoborsomeoneelsetoldyouthatyouwere failing?Oryou lostyour jobbecauseyourbosssaidyoufailed?________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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2.FearofRejectionWe are all hard-wired for acceptance. No one

intentionally wants or invites rejection. We all want to beacceptedwhichfuelsaninnerfearofbeingrejected.Whataresomewayswestrivenottoberejectedatourworkplace?

• Beapeople-pleaserby trying tomeet all ourpeers

orboss’s expectationswhether theyare realisticorunrealistic.

• Worklongerorharderthananyoneelse.• Overproduce so that no one can say you didn’t do

yourjobwell.• Encourage others as a way of protecting yourself

frombeingrejected.• Be a perfectionist because no one can reject a

perfectionist,canthey?

However,notonlydoes fearofrejectioncreatestress,butreal or perceived rejection by others can cause even morestress. How does it make you feel when you are rejected orperceiveyouhavebeenrejectedbyapeer,boss,orclient?________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________3.FearofBeingOutofControl

Ibelievethisisthenumberonefearwhetheryouarean

employee or a business owner because to some extent oranotherweallwanttobeincontrol.Why?

• Sowecanknowwhatisaroundthecorner.• Sowewillknowwhattoexpect.• Sowecanprepareorprotectourselvesfrom

someimpendingnegativeeventorsituation.• Sowecanfeelsafeandsecure.

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Unfortunately,therealityiswehavenocontrolbecausethefutureisoutofourhands.ThereisonlyOnePersonwhois incontrolandwhoknowstheendfromthebeginningandthatisGod.However,evenknowingthatdoesnotnecessarilykeepusfromtryingtobeincontrol.

Howdoes itmakeyoufeelwhenyousenseyouarenot in

controloryoufearnotbeingincontrol?

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Letmeendthischapterbyaskingyoutwomorequestions

concerningfearsintheworkplace:

What are some other job-related fears you are experiencingthatwehavenottalkedabout?

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Howdoeslivingfromthosefearsmakeyoufeel?________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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Chapter Five

Stressor #3 – Your IdentityThisiswhatIcalla“covert”stressorbecausemostpeople

arenotawarewhatidentitymeansorhowitcanimpactyouatyourjob.Interestinglyenough,whenIaskpeoplewhotheyare,theytypicallyanswerbytellingmewhattheydo.Thistellsmetheir identities areprimarilybasedonwhat theirprofessionsor jobs are. Before we go any further, let me explain what Imeanbyidentity?

Your identity is based on what you BELIEVE or

what you FEEL is true about yourself.

We all have an identity. That identity was formed at an

earlyagebythepositiveornegativemessagesyouheardaboutyourself from others. Out of those repeated and reinforcedmessages you came to conclusions or beliefs about yourself.Thosebeliefshavebeenreinforcedoverthespanofyourlife.Ifyouheardmostlypositivemessagesyoumayconcludethatyouare:

• Self-confident• Self-assured• Self-sufficient• Self-reliant

However if youheardmostlynegativemessages thenyou

mayfeelorbelievethatyouare:

• Unloved• Rejected• Inadequate• Insecure• Unworthy

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Whetherornotyoubelievepositivelyornegativelyaboutyourself, experiencing your identity requires getting certainneeds met, such as, acceptance, value/worth, respect,adequacy, and security. One of the placeswe try to get thoseneedsmetisfromourjobs.

Acceptance

As we discussed earlier, no one wants to feel rejected at

his/herworkplace,soweseekwaystobeaccepted.Evenifyouareaself-confidentperson,beawarethatevenself-confidencecan be eroded when you feel rejected or take ownership ofpeople’srejection.

Value/Worth

Sinceweall need tobe valuedor foundworthy,weoften

trytofindthatvaluefromourperformance.Ifweperformwell,wevalueourselvesandhopethatotherswillvalueusaswell.Even self-sufficient and self-reliant people have a need to bevaluedbytheirpeersorsuperiors.

Respect

Theneedforrespectdrivesustoperformatleastequalto

or better thanwhat is required in an attempt to earn others’respect.

Inadequate

Noonewantstofeelinadequatesowelookforwaystofeel

good about ourselves by accomplishing goals and seekingadvancement.

Security

Security is key to our identity. We all want to be secure

financially, emotionally and relationally. So, we will dowhatever the job requires in order to maintain that sense ofsecurityorlookforotherwaystoensureourjobsecurity.

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The quest to get these needs met on the job requires

consistency, responsibility, and productivity. This ongoingquest can produce a covert stress that is not readilyexperienced but is there, nevertheless. How dowe know ourquest for a positive identity creates stress at work? Let meanswerthatquestionbyposingthefollowingquestionstoyou:

• Whatiftheneedswediscussedarenotbeingmet atyourjob?Howdoesthatmakeyoufeel?• Whatifyoufeel,orothersmakeyoufeel,rejected, unworthy, disrespected, inadequate or insecure? How does that negatively impact how you see yourself?• Whatisyouridentityifyouloseyourjobandhow willyougetthoseneedsmetifyounolongerhave ajob?

Whilethereareseveralotherstressorsattheworkplace,Ihope you can identify with the three that we have alreadydiscussed.Thekeyquestionconcerningthesestressorsishowthey are negatively impacting you and those that you workwith.Wewillexplorethatinthenextlesson.

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Chapter Six

What Are Some of the Results of Not Dealing with Your Job Stressors?

Nowthatwehaveseensomekeyworkplacestressors,let’s

lookatsomeofthenegativeimpacttheymaybehavingonyou.

StatisticsFromtheNationalInstituteofStress Here are some statistics from the National Institute of

Stress (NIS)concerning theeffectsof job-relatedstress.See ifyoucanidentifywithanyofthesestatistics.

• 62%of people routinely find they end the daywithwork-

related neck pain; 44% reported stressed-out eyes; 38%complained of hurting hands; and, 34% reported difficultyinsleepingbecausetheyweretoostressed-out.

• Over half said they often spend 12-hour days on work-

related duties and an equal number frequently skip lunchbecauseofthestressofjobdemands.

• 29%hadyelledatco-workersbecauseofworkplacestress;

14% said they work where machinery or equipment hasbeendamagedbecauseofworkplacerageand2%admittedthattheyhadactuallypersonallystrucksomeone.

• 12%hadcalledinsickbecauseofjobstress.• 19%,oralmostoneinfiverespondents,hadquitaprevious

position because of job stress and nearly one in four hadbeendriventotearsbecauseofworkplacestress.

• 10% said they work in an atmosphere where physical

violence has occurred because of job stress, and, in thisgroup, 42% report that yelling and other verbal abuse iscommon.

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TheNISaddedthisaboutstressonthejob:“Whenyoufeeloverwhelmed at work, you lose confidence and may becomeangry, irritable, orwithdrawn.” Other signs and symptoms ofexcessivestressatworkinclude:

• Feelinganxious,irritable,ordepressed

• Apathy,lossofinterestinwork

• Problemssleeping

• Fatigue

• Troubleconcentrating

• Muscletensionorheadaches

• Stomachproblems

• Socialwithdrawal

• Lossofsexdrive

Asyoucanseefromjustthislistalone,youcanexperience

negative physical, psychological, and emotional effects fromyourworkplacestress.

Whatarethenegativephysical,psychological,oremotionaleffectsyouareexperiencingasaresultofyourjobstress?________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Another crucial question that needs to be answered is

how your stress is negatively impacting your relationships? Iasked a young entrepreneur if he were responsible for thesuccess or failure of his business. His response was “Yes.” Iaskedhim if that created stress throughout thedayand if so,didhetakeownershipofhisstress.Onceagainhisanswerwas“Yes”tobothquestions.Myfinalquestionwas,“Whatdoyour

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wifeandchildrentypicallygetfromyouafteryouspendadayat work living in constant stress?” He got really quiet buteventually shared with me that he had nothing left for hisfamily emotionally because of what the daily stress wasrobbingfromhim.Howaboutyou?

Howmayyourstressatworknegativelybeimpactingyour

co-workers, your marriage, your kids, or your otherrelationships?________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

HereisafinalthoughtfromtheNIS:“Intoday’shecticworld,theworkplacetoooftenseemslike

an emotional roller coaster. Long hours, tight deadlines, andever-increasing demands can leave you feeling worried,drained, and overwhelmed. And when stress exceeds yourabilitytocope,itstopsbeinghelpfulandstartscausingdamagetoyourmindandbody—aswellastoyourjobsatisfaction.”

Nowthatyoumayhaveidentifiedthenegativeimpactyour

stresshasonyouandothers,thenextquestionweneedtoaskis:“Howdowedealwithourstress?”

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Chapter Seven

Man’s Attempted Solutions to Deal with Stress There are many man-made options concerning how we

attempttodealwithourstress,butIthinktheycanbesummedupinthreepoints.Let’sexploretheseoptions.

1.TakeOWNERSHIPofYourStress

We know there is no escaping the stresses of life. As a

result, our first tendency is to take ownership of our stress.WhatdoImeanby“takingownership?”

Taking OWNERSHIP means you are

not escaping the stress. Rather, you are

taking responsibility for your stress.

I, alongwithmany business owners, believed that since I

wasresponsibleforthesuccessorfailureofmybusiness,thenIwassupposedtotakeownershipof thestressassociatedwithit.ItwasalmostlikeIwasbeingirresponsibleifIdidn’t.SinceI took ownership of my stress, I was responsible for dealingwithit.Thisdoeslookliketheresponsiblethingtodountilyouseewhereitleads.

I looked at all the stresses that were associated with my

business, and then I just unquestioningly assumedresponsibility to takecareof them.Whether itwaspersonnelproblemsorproblemswithclients, Iwastheonetodealwiththem.TheproblemwasthatwhenI tookownershipofall thethings thatcausedmestress, they thenconsumedmecausingmetoliveinongoinganxiety,worryandsometimesfear.Thistroubledmeeven further causingadownwardspiralbecause

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while I did feel responsible, I did not realize all the negativefeelingsthatwereassociatedwithmyassumptionofcontrol.

When we discussed the three key stressors in the

workplace in Chapters 3-5, I asked you to write down thenegative feelings associated with those stressors. When youwrote thosedown, youwere, in essence, takingownership ofthosefeelings.Whatareyoudoingwiththosefeelingstoday?

Doyou:

• Letthemfester?• Stuffthem?• BecomeOCDaboutthem?• Takethemoutonothers?• Letthemcontinuallyfrustrateyou?• Ignorethem?• Trytosubduethem?

Whataresomeotherthingsyoumaybedoingasaresultof

takingownershipofyournegativefeelings?________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

2.COPEwithYourStress

If thestresscreatedbyournegativethoughtsandfeelings

gets a grip onus,we look forways to “cope”with the stress.HereishowIdefinecoping.

COPING is finding ways or things we adopt to

DISTRACT, ESCAPE from or ANESTHETIZE

ourselves from the stress.

Copingisanotherwayofsayingthatmynegativethoughts

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andfeelingsassociatedwithmyjobhavesuchagriponmethatIneedtoescapethemoranesthetizemyselffromthem.

Herearesomewayswecantrytocopewithorescapefrom

ourstress:Shopping Television PornographyMedication Hobbies ExerciseOvereating Movies Computer IllegalDrugs Alcohol CellPhonesSocialMedia VideoGames WorkSome of the things listed above are normal, acceptable

activities such as, work, exercise, television, or social media.Obviously,othersarenotacceptablesuchas illegaldrugsandpornography. However, if you overly rely on any of thesethings primarily as a way to escape or anesthetize yourselffrom your stress, they all become unhealthy copingmechanismsandarepotentiallyaddictive.

Inwhatwaysdoyoutrytocopewithyourjobstress?

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Iswhat you areusing to copewith your stressproducing

longtermorjusttemporaryresults?________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

3.ManagingYourStressThere are several books written on stress management.

HerearesomesuggestionsIfoundfromtheLifeSkillswebsite:1. Avoidexcessivecaffeine,alcohol,andnicotine.2. Indulgeinphysicalactivity.

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3. Getmoresleep.4. Userelaxationtechniques.5. Talktosomeone.6. Keepastressdiary.7. Takecontrolbyfindingsolutionstoyourproblems.8. Manageyourtime.These techniquesmaybehelpful inmanaging your stress

but is stress management the ultimate goal? If it is, then aretheseman-madestress-controltechniquesproducingthelong-termresultsyoudesire?

Aswe look at all three of theseman-made “solutions” for

dealingwithourstress,thequestionthenbecomes:

Are any of these options REMOVING the negative

feelings you are experiencing due to your stress?

Yousee,Iequatethesethreeoptionswithrearrangingthe

deckchairsontheTitanic.Youcanrearrangethe“deckchairs”of takingownership,copingwithormanagingyourstressbutwhatgooddothesestress-copingtechniquesaccomplishinthelongterm?

The truth is that not one of these options removes the

negative impactyourstresshasonyouandthosewhose livesare impacted by you. Before you despair, there is anothersolutionandthegoodnewsisthatitisGod’ssolution.So,nowlet’stakealookatGod’ssolutionfordealingwithyourstress.

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Chapter Eight

God’s Solution for Dealing with Your Stress

Introduction

“In today’s hecticworld, theworkplace too often seems like anemotional roller coaster. Longhours, tight deadlines, and ever-increasingdemandscanleaveyoufeelingworried,drained,andoverwhelmed. And when stress exceeds your ability to cope, itstopsbeinghelpfulandstartscausingdamagetoyourmindandbody—aswellastoyourjobsatisfaction.”-NationalInstituteofStress.

Thekeytothisstatementisthis:“Whenstressexceedsyour

ability to cope … it starts causing damage to your mind andbody.”

This is the inevitable effect of excessive stress. It causes

damage to your mind, your body, and your emotions. As Imentioned in an earlier definition of stress, it is a robber ofyoursoul.Here is thekeytruthwewillbuildoninthesenexttwochapters.

God does NOT intend for you to cope with

your stress. He intends to REPLACE your stress.

ThisiswhatPaulissayinginPhilippians4:19:

“AndmyGodwillsupplyallyourneedsaccordingtoHisrichesingloryinChristJesus.”

Thisisanincrediblepromisewhenitcomestoovercoming

thenegativeeffectsofthestressatyourjob.

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Let’s start unpacking this promise by looking at God’sdesignforman.Beforewedo,letmeaskyouaquestionbasedonwhatyouhavelearnedintheprevioussevenchapters.

Is it possible that you DO NEED Jesus at your job?

If you answered “Yes,” then I believe you will be

encouragedaswefinishthisstudylookingatthemeaningandapplicationofPhilippians4:19asitappliestoyourjob.

OurDesign

Hereisthefirstkeyquestioninunderstandingwhywe

needJesusinourworkplace.

Were you and I DESIGNED by

God to handle our stress?

Let’sgobacktothegardenofEdenbeforetheFall.Wasn’t

theGardenofEdenaplaceofnostress?Wouldn’tthatbeoneof the definitions of a perfect environment? If this is theenvironmentthatGodintended,thenwouldHeneedtodesignAdamandEve to handle any stress?AdamandEvewerenotdesigned physically or emotionally to handle stress becauseGodneverintendedforthemtoexperiencestress.

However,whatdidAdamandEveexperienceaftertheFall?

Stress! The spiritual stress of disobeying God. The emotionalstressthatproducedshame,guilt,andfear.Theproblemisthatafter the Fall, their design did not suddenly change toaccommodate how they would deal with the stresses theywould face living in a fallenworld. Theywere not capable ofeverdealingwiththenegativeeffectsoftheFall.

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Whatdoesthismeanforustoday?

Since we are made in the SAME design as Adam

and Eve, then we were never designed to

HANDLE or OVERCOME our stress.

Jesus confirms this when He says in the last part of John

15:5:

“ApartfromMeyoucandonothing.”“Nothing,”asitappliestoyourjobandyourlifemeansthat

you were never designed to overcome stress. I know this istrue because allwe cando is take ownership, copewith, andtry to manage our stress. We cannot in and of ourselvesovercomeit.

Youmay be better than I am in copingwith ormanaging

stress but let me ask you this question, “Can we, in our ownstrength and ability, ever fully overcome it?” Let me explainfurtherwiththisanalogy.

ImagineMichaelPhelps (theOlympic swimmer)and I are

swimmingtoHawaii.HewilldefinitelyswimfurtherthanIwillbut inevitably he, like me, will drown. In the same way, youmaycopeormanageyourstressbetterthanothersbutyouwilleventually“drown”becauseyoucannotovercomethenegativeeffectsofyourstress.Thisleadsustothefollowingquestion:

DoesthismeanthatweneedanotherSOURCEotherthan

ourselvestoovercomeourstress?Until 1998, I thought I was the only source to solve my

problems, be successful in business and deal with my stress.Theproblemwasbythat timeIwas financiallysuccessfulbutemotionally and spiritually bankrupt. Why? Because mybusiness was literally killing me emotionally, spiritually and

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physically due to the anxiety, fear, and worry that resultedfrommystress.

In addition tomybusiness,what I hadbeen taught about

livingtheChristian lifewasnotworkingforme,myfamily,ormyotherrelationships.Whatwaswrong?WhatwasImissing?Letmebeginanswering thesequestionsby tellingyouwhat IwastaughtaboutlivingtheChristian.Whenyoureadthis,keepinmindtheword“source.”

WhatIWasTaughtConcerningLivingtheChristianLife

InJohn8:32,itsays,“Youwillknowthetruthandthetruth

will set you free.” However, have you ever thought of theconverseof thisverse?If thetruthwillsetyoufree,whatwillbelievingandlivingfromthelieresult in?Yousee,IthoughtIwasbeingtaughtthetruthaboutlivingtheChristianlifeonlytodiscover that what I was taught was a “lie” that negativelyimpactedmyChristianwalkfor30years.

I was taught that living the Christian life meant that you

were the source using your own intellect, ability, willpower,self-discipline,andaskingGod’shelp,to:

1. LearnthewordofGodandtrydowhatitsays.2. TrytokeepGod’srulesandcommands.3. Trytochangeortransformyourself.4. Trytobecomemorerighteous(i.e.,sinless).5. Try to change your fleshly or sinful behavior to godlybehavior.6. Trytosetyourselffreefromthesin(s)youare in bondageto.7. TrytoattainvictoryoveryourfleshandSatan.

Forthefirst30yearsofmyChristianwalkItriedandfailed

at consistently accomplishing anything on that list. However,beingastrong-willedperson,Ikepttrying,somehowbelievingthatifItriedhardenoughsomethingwouldeventuallychange.Inaddition,duringthat timeIaskedGodmanytimes forhelpbutIneverreallyfeltthatHewashelpingme.WhatdidIwant

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changed?By the time I trusted Christ for salvation at age 18, I had

greatinternalstruggleswithinadequacy,fear,anger,rejection,and unworthiness due to the physical, verbal, and emotionalabuse and woundedness from my father. As I began myChristian journey, I started reading theBible. As I readGod’spromises of victory, freedom, healing of woundedness andtransformation, Iwanted to experience thosepromises inmylife.IthoughtthatifIcouldsuccessfullydowhatIwastoldtodo to live the Christian life, then God would reward me bylettingmeexperienceHispromises.

TheproblemisthatthemoreItried,themoreexhaustedI

became.Notonlythat,butallmytryingneverresulted inanyof the freedom, victory, healing, and transformation that Godpromises.AshardasItried,Iwasneverabletosetmyselffreefromthefeelingsandbeliefsoffear,inadequacy,rejection,andunworthiness.Infact,allofthesefeelingsjustgotworse.

Due to my woundedness from my dad, I harbored anger,

bitterness,andunforgivenesstowardshim.IknewthetruthinGod’swordsaidIwassupposedtoforgivehimbutIcouldn’tdoit. In fact, my feelings toward my dad only got worse. I alsostruggled over those years with fleshly behaviors such asanger,beingcontrolling,beingcritical,andjudgmental.

In addition, I became very self-righteous because I had

accumulatedalotofBibleknowledgeandIneededtoshowthepeoplearoundmehowmuchIunderstoodabouttheBible.Atone point, my sister said that I was the most self-righteouspersonsheeverknew.Thesadpartisthatshewasright.

Duringthelasttenyearsofmy30-yearChristianjourneyI

wasmarried. Imistakenly thought thatmarriagewould solvemany of my problems. It only created more. When my wifecould not meet my needs and expectations, my anger andcontrollingwouldgetoutofcontrol.WewouldgotoChristianmarriageconferencesthattolduswhatwehadtodotohaveaChrist-centeredmarriagebutnoneofthemarriage“todo”lists

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madeanydifference.Asaresult,mywifeandIaftertenyearsstartedemotionallyseparating.

All this time, Iwas faithfully going to church, readingmy

Bible, praying, and doing what I was told to do to be asuccessful Christian. However, the more I tried the more Ifailed. You can imagine that my failing year after year onlycreated a greater frustrationwithmy Christianwalk becausenothing seemed to change and my fleshly attitudes only gotworse.

OntopofthefactthatIwasnotexperiencinganychange,I

startedcondemningmyselfwhenI failedtodowhattheBibletoldme to do. I kept thinking tomyself that Imust be doingsomething wrong or I must not be trying hard enough. Inaddition,IfeltthatGodhadletmedownbecauseafterallIwasdoingforHim,HewasnotcomingthroughwiththevictoryandfreedomHepromises.

Truth be told, towards the end of my 30-year journey, I

began giving up on my Christian life because it was notworkinginme,mymarriageormybusiness.Ifinallyconcludedthat abundant life must come after death because I couldn’tattain it now no matter how hard I tried. Instead of gettingclosertotheabundantlifeafterallthoseyears,IwasbecomingdepressedandatonepointIhadthoughtsofsuicide.

LittledidIrealizethatduringthosethirtyyearsGodwasin

theprocessofbringingmetotheendofmy“trying”tolivetheChristianlifethroughmybeingthesourcetoliveit.OnSunday,October4,1998,Iwassittinginmycardepressed,wonderingwhyIneededtogointochurchtohearonemoremessagethatwouldmakenodifferenceinmylife.

While sitting there, a question came rolling across my

mind: “Are you done trying, in your own strength andability, to make the Christian life work?” I knew thatthoughtdidnotcomefrommesoitmusthavecomefromtheHolySpirit.Myanswerwas:“Yes,IamdonetryingtolivetheChristianlife.Infact,Iamtotallyexhaustedtryingtoliveitin

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myownstrength.”ThiswasgoodnewsbecauseIfinallycametotheplaceof“Ican’t.”Theseweresomeofmy“Icant’s”:

• Ican’tsetmyselffree.• Ican’tattainvictoryovermysinfulbehaviors.• Ican’thealmyselfofmywoundedness.• I can’t transform my fleshly behaviors into

Christ-likebehaviors.• Ican’tmakemymarriagework.• I can’t produce the joy, fulfillment, and peace

thatIwantoutoftheChristianlife.• Ican’tovercomethestress-filledanxiety,worry

andfearthatmyjobwasproducinginme.The following three surveys summed up my 30-year

journey:“52%ofChristiansthinkthereismoretotheChristianlifethanwhattheyhaveexperienced.”-BarnaGroup“Only13%ofChristianssaytheyarelivingavictoriousChristianlife.”-Gallupsurvey“89%ofChristiansfeelthereisadisconnectbetweenwhatGodpromisesversuswhattheyareexperiencing.”-RevealResearchI was part of the 52% who think there is more to the

Christian life than what I had experienced. I was one of the87% that was not living a victorious Christian life and I wasdefinitely part of the 89% who felt there is a disconnectbetweenwhatGodpromisesversusmyexperience. Ifyoucanidentify with any of these surveys, is it possible that you arelivingthesamekindofChristianlifeIwas?

Going back to my story, after I confessed to God that “I

can’t,” He brought these thoughts to my mind, “I (God) havebeen waiting for 30 years for you to come to this place of ‘I

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can’t.’Today,Iamgoingtospeaktoyouthroughthespeakeratyour church and I am going to change your spiritual journeyforever.”

Needless to say, I was getting a little excited. Our church

hadinvitedamanbythenameofIanThomastoteachafour-dayconferencestartingthatSundaymorning.IanThomaswasthe director of aworld-wideministry calledTorchbearers. Atthat time, Ihadno ideawhohewasorwhathisministrywasabout. So, I went into church and when he got up to speak,thesewerehisfirstwords:

“God NEVER intended for you to live THE LIFE that

ONLY Christ can live in and through you.”

What struck me were the two things he said that I had

neverheardbefore.Thefirstwasthatheusedthewords“THE”Life. Secondly, there is only one Person who has lived “THE”lifeandthatisJesus.

Inadditiontothesepowerfulwords,Isawinthismanwhat

the scriptures calls “rivers of livingwater.” (John 7:38). I saythat because I could tell that he was experiencing a joy andpeace that I had wanted to experience for 48 years as aChristian.

Thisdaymarked themostpivotaldayofmyChristian life

(other than the day I was saved) because this was the day IbegananewjourneyinunderstandingandlivingTHEChristianlifethatradicallychangedeveryareaofmylife. Doyouknowwhat“THE”lifemeans?Let’slookatthewordsofJesustofindout.

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HowJesusDefinesTHEChristianLifeJesussays:

“…IAMtheway,thetruth,andTHELIFE…”John14:6

“…IAMtheresurrectionandTHELIFE.”John11:25WhatisJesussayinginthesetwopassages?Itisclearthat

JesusissayingthatHeHimselfisTHELife.WhatdoesHemeanwhenHesaysthatHeisTHELife?Formanyyears,Ireadtheseverses and concluded that they only meant that He was thesourceformyeternallifewhenItrustedinHimforsalvation.However,whatJesusisclearlytellingusinthesetwopassagesisthis:

“THE” Christian Life is a PERSON.

It is Christ HIMSELF!

Think about the above statement for a moment. If Christ

HimselfistheChristianlife,thenTHEChristianlifeisnotaboutyour trying to live the Christian life through your own self-effort with God’s help. Rather, THE Christian life is a Person.Haveyouheardthisbefore?Tofurtherconfirmthistruthlet’slookatwhatPaulhadtosay.

WhatPaulSaidAboutLiving“THE”ChristianLife

Paul took the truth of Christ as “THE” Life to a more

personallevelwhenhesaidinColossians3:4:

“…ChristwhoisYOURlife…”WhatisPaulsayinginthisverse?Heissayingthatthelife

ofChristismorethantheeternallifeHegaveyouatsalvation.HeissayingthatChristisyourlifetoday,atthisverymoment.At this point you might be scratching your head and askingthese questions: “What is Paul talking about? What does it

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meanthatChrist ismy life? Is the life thatPaul isreferringto‘THE’ Christian life?” I believe that the answer to thesequestionsisfoundinPhilippians1:21whenPaulsays:

“Forme,toliveISCHRIST….”

PaulissayingthatlivingTHEChristianlifeisChristactually

beinghislife.Thinkaboutthisforamoment.If“THE”ChristianlifeisaPerson,doesthatmean“THE”Christianlifeisnotaboutyourtryingtocompleteaspiritual“todo”list,ortryingtokeepasetofrules,ortryingtokeepfromsinning,ortryingtodothebestyoucantoliveforGod?

Yousee JesusandPaularesaying thesame thing that Ian

Thomassaidthatdaytome:GodneverintendedforyoutoliveTHE Christian life, that only Christ can live. Think about thisfollowingstatement:

All that we can do in our own strength and ability is

Live a FORM of the Christian life. ONLY Christ can truly live “THE” Life in and through us.

What kind of Christian life have you been living? Do you

understandwhatitmeansforChristtobeTHELife?Let’slookattheanswertothatquestioninthenextsection.

WhatItMeansforChristtoBeTHELife

Toanswerthisquestionlet’slookat1Corinthians1:30: “HeistheSOURCEofyourlifeinChristJesus,…”(RSV)Godgivesustheanswerinthefirstpartoftheversewhen

HesaysthatHeistheSOURCEofyourlifeinChrist.Theword“source”inthiscontextmeansapersonfromwhomsomethingoriginates. In this verse, that person is Jesus who is theoriginatorofTHELife.

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Look at two other verses that reveal that God is your

SourceforlivingtheChristianlife:“InHimweliveandmoveandhaveourbeing.”Acts17:28

“ForfromHimandthroughHimandtoHimareallthings….”

Romans11:36

Theseare just twoofmanyverses in theBible thatrevealtousthatChrististobeourSourceforlivingTHEChristianlife.

Remember when I said earlier that I was living a lie

concerninglivingtheChristianlife?ThelieIwasbelievingwas:

I could SUCCESSFULLY live the Christian life by my

being the SOURCE with God’s help to live it.

Yousee,whenItriedtobethesourcetolivemyownlife,I

miserably failed. That is why it is crucial for us to grasp thetruth thatwe cannot by our own resources live the Christianlifethatwewereneverintendedtolive.OnlyChristcandothatin and throughus. ItwasneverGod’s design for us to be thesource.Doesthismakesense?

If youhave attempted to be your own source to live life,

howisitworkingforyou?Ihopeyouwillseeandadmititisn’tworkingbecause,believeme, it isn’t.Yourbeingthesourcetolive your own life cannot work because there is only oneSourceandthatisJesus(notyou).

So,let’slookatwhatitmeanspracticallythatChristisyour

Source. Let’s examine twokeywords concerningChristbeingthesource:PRODUCEandSUPPLY.

ChristAsYourSourceMeansThatHeIsthePRODUCER

“ForIamconfidentofthisverything,thatHe

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whobeganagoodworkinyouwillperfect[accomplish]ituntilthedayofChristJesus.”Philippians1:6

“ButHeansweredthem,‘MyFatherisworkinguntilnow,andIMyselfamworking.’”John5:17

Anotherdefinition for theword “source” is “theonewho

produces.” What Philippians 1:6 and John 5:17 above aresaying is that Christ is the producer. What does it mean thatChrististheproducer?

It means that Christ PRODUCES His life

in you by making His PROMISES an

EXPERIENTIAL reality in your life.

LetmegiveyousomeexamplesofwhatitmeansforChrist

tobetheProducer:

VICTORY–Christwillproduceinyouexperientialvictoryoverthepowerofsin,theflesh,theworld,andthepowerofSatan.

“….butthanksbetoGod,whogivesusthevictorythroughourLordJesusChrist.”1Corinthians15:57

FREEDOM – Christ will set you free from your false beliefs,yourdefeatingsinpatterns,andyourongoinginnerstruggles.

“SoChristhasreallysetusfree.Nowmakesurethatyoustayfree,anddon’tgettiedupagainin

slaverytothelaw.”Galatians5:1

HEALING – Christ will produce healing of your past andpresentwoundedness.

“Hehealsthebrokenheartedandbindsuptheirwounds.”

Psalm147:3

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INTIMACY –Christwillproduce inyouadesire forpersonal,intimaterelationshipwithHimself.“HisunchangingplanhasalwaysbeentoadoptusintoHisownfamilybybringingustoHimselfthroughJesusChrist.And

thisgaveHimgreatpleasure.”Ephesians1:5In addition to these examples of Christ’s being the

producer, there isonemorekeyarea in theChristian life thatonlyChristcanproduce.

TransformationIntoChrist-Likeness

One of the greatest promises in the Bible is our

transformation into Christ-likeness. Let’s look at two versesthat confirm to us that God intends for our lives to betransformed.

“ForwhomHeforeknew,Healsopredestinedtobecome

conformedtotheimageofHisSon,thatHemightbethefirst-bornamongmanybrethren.”Romans8:29

“Andwe,whowithunveiledfacesallreflecttheLord’sglory,arebeingtransformedintoHislikenesswithever-increasingglory,whichcomesfromtheLord,

whoistheSpirit.”2Corinthians3:18Whatdoesitmeanforustobeconformedtotheimageof

ChristandbetransformedintoHislikeness?

To be conformed to the IMAGE of Christ or to

be TRANSFORMED into the LIKENESS of Christ

means that you will be transformed to THINK,

BELIEVE, CHOOSE and BEHAVE like Christ.

Think about it for a moment. What would be different

aboutyourlifeandspecificallyyourjobifGodtransformedyou

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so that you were thinking, believing, choosing, and behavinglike Christ? How would it change how you see yourself, howyourelate toothersorchangehowyouwoulddealwithyourworkplacestress?

So,ChristastheProducermeansthatHewillbetheSource

to make His promises and experiential reality in your life. Inthenextchapter,wewilllookatwhatitmeansforChristtobeyourSupply.

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Chapter Nine

Jesus Will Supply What You Need IntroductionLet’sgobacktothetitleofthisbooklet.“DoYouReallyNeedJesusAtYourJob?”Howwouldyouanswerthatquestionbasedonyouranswerstomyquestionsinthefirstsevenchapters?Ifyouransweris“Yes,”thenwhatyouwilllearninthischapteristhatChristwillsupply/meetyoureveryneed.

ThisisthepromiseaccordingtoPhilippians4:19.

“MyGodshallSUPPLYallyourneeds,…INCHRISTJesus.”

What I have discovered about so many Christians is thatthey don’t realize their need for Christ. However, there isanotherwordforneedandthatwordis“dependence.”Doesn’t“needing”JesusmeanthatyouaretotallydependentonHim?

Let’s go back to the garden of Eden to find the answer.Weren’tAdamandEvedesignedtoliveinmomentbymomentdependence on God? By depending on Him as their Source,howmany needs didHemeet?Didn’t Godmeet every one oftheir physical, spiritual and emotional needs? The answer is“yes.” Dependence equals neediness because if you weren’tneedyyouwouldnotneedtobedependent.God’s design has never changed. You and I and the rest ofhumanitywasdesignedtobetotallydependent(needy)onGodtomeetourneeds.Ifthisistruethenthenextquestionisthis:

Do you REALIZE how needy you are because if

there is NO need, then there is NO need for Jesus?

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Since our default position is to try and make life workindependentofGod,thenwhatGodwilldoisexposeyourneedforHim.HowdoesHedothat?Oneofthewaysisthroughyourjob.Heallowsyoutotakeownershipofyourstressandallthenegativefeelingsthatareassociatedwithit(i.e.theanswerstomy questions that you previously wrote down) in order torevealtoyouhowmuchyouneedHim.Letmegiveyousomepractical examples of what I mean. Before I do let me sharewithyouwhattheneedsarethatChristwillsupply.HerearesomeexamplesofwhatJesusisgoingtosupply.Unconditionallove Victory WorthAcceptance Faith FreedomPatience Strength PeaceForgiveness Understanding SecurityFearlessness Wisdom DiscernmentAdequacy Humility Christ-confidenceBoldness Righteousness SelflessnessRest Compassion Courage Hope Gentleness Christ-controlFaithfulness Power JoyThe Bible calls these characteristics Christ-likeness orChrist-likecharacteristicsaccordingtoapassageIsharedwithyouearlier.

“Andwe,whowithunveiledfacesallreflecttheLord’sglory,

arebeingtransformedintoHis(Christ)likenesswithever-increasingglory,whichcomesfromtheLord,

whoistheSpirit.”2Corinthians3:18Hereisakeytruthtounderstandatthispoint.

Jesus is NOT ONLY supplying these things,

He IS these things.

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WhatdoImean?Lookatfollowingtwoverses.“ForHeHimselfisourpeace,whomadebothgroupsintooneandbrokedownthebarrierofthedividingwall.”Ephesians2:14“Paul,anapostleofChristJesusaccordingtothecommandment

ofGodourSavior,andofChristJesus,whoisourhope.”1Timothy1:1

What Paul is telling us is that Jesus is not only supplyingpeaceandhope,HeISourpeaceandhope.Thismaynotmakesense now but I hope it makes sense when we get to thepracticalapplicationinthenextchapter.

Anotherkeytruth is thatwecontainallof thoseChrist-likecharacteristics in full. In other words, we don't have 30% ofChrist’s peace available to us. We have 100% of His peaceavailable.Howdoweknowthis?LookatColossians2:9,10“For in Him (Christ) all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form, and in Him (Christ) you have been made full, and He

is the head over all rule and authority.” AsaChristian,youhave the fullnessofChrist inyouwhichmeans you have all of Christ’s joy, patience, acceptance, etc.availabletoyoueverymoment.Let’stakeadeeperlookintothedifferencebetweenChrist-likecharacteristicsandhumancharacteristics.What IsTheDifferenceBetweenChrist-LikeCharacteristicsandHumanCharacteristics?

When you look at the list on thepreviouspage of theneedsthatChristisgoingtomeetcanwenotascribeahumanconnotation to these characteristics? Can’t we experience ahumanlove,peace,acceptance,patience,security,etc.?Wecan,but what Jesus is supplying is spiritual not humancharacteristics.Let’scomparethedifferencebetweenthetwo.

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HUMAN Characteristics – human feelings or experiencesgeneratedbyman that canbechangedbyour circumstancesand/orourrelationships.For example, let’s assume that you are having a good day.Youarefeelingahumanpeace,joy,andsecurity.However,youcomehometo find thatsomeonehasbroken intoyourhouse,yourhouseisfloodedduetoabrokenpipe,andyourtwo-yearoldsonisthrowingatempertantrum.Whatquicklyhappenstoyourhumanfeelingsofpeace, joy,and security? They evaporate quickly!Whatwould this samesituation look like living from Christ-like characteristics?Before I answer that question, let’s define Christ-likecharacteristics.CHRIST-LIKE Characteristics – spiritual, supernaturalcharacteristicsofChristthataresuppliedbyChristandcannotbechangedbycircumstancesorrelationships.“IamoverflowingwithJOYinthemidstofalloursuffering….”

Colossians1:24

Paul is telling us that even in the midst of all hissuffering,hewasexperiencinggreatjoy.Wouldyoucallthata“human”joy?Idon'tthinksobecausewhenIamsuffering,thelast thing I feel is a human joy. Paul was experiencing aspiritual, supernatural joy supplied by Christ that evensufferingcouldnotrobhimof.

Using the same example I previously shared, let’sassumethatwhenyouarefacedwiththerobbery,theflooding,and the crying child, you start feeling anger, frustration, orimpatience.Inthatmomentbyfaith,youcandrawuponChrist-lifecharacteristicsofpeace,joy,andpatience.(Rememberthatsince you contain the fullness of Christ, youhave available toyouallof theChrist-lifecharacteristics.) Whatdoes that looklikepractically?

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“Lord, I am losing my human joy and I am beginning to feelanger, frustration, and impatience. I am asking You, in Yourpower,toreplacethosefeelingswithChrist-lifepeace,joy,andpatienceatthismoment.”Inthatverymoment,theSpirit’spowerissuppressingyouranger, frustration, and impatience as Christ is pouring Hispeaceandpatience intoyou.Youmaynot immediately feel it,butasyoucontinuetodrawuponHispeaceandpatience,yourfeelingsofanger,frustration,andimpatiencewillsubside.

The KEY difference between a HUMAN characteristic and a CHRIST-LIKE characteristic is that neither

relationships nor adverse circumstances can ROB you of experiencing Christ-like characteristics.

Why is that statement so critical for you at your job?Remember how I defined stress and the negative effects ofstress?

STRESS:

Internal and external pressures of life that

create INNER TURMOIL and ROB you of peace,

happiness, and fulfillment

Stress is a robber in that it will rob you of the things youneedbutJesus,asyoursupplier,willsupplywhatyouneedandit can’t be taken away from you. Let’s look at how thispracticallyappliestoyouintheworkplace.

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Chapter Ten

Practical Application Of Jesus Meeting Your Needs Key Foundational Truths To Understand As You Draw OnChristToMeetYourNeedIn this chapterwearegoing to lookatexamplesofwhat itlooks like practically to draw on Christ to meet your needs.Before we get into these examples, there are some keyfoundationaltruthsthatareimportanttounderstand.1.StepsofFaithSincewe are on awalk of faith according to 2 Corinthians5:7,thenwearetoengageGodbytakingstepsoffaithinordertodrawonChristasoursupply.Isimplydefineastepoffaiththisway.

A MOMENT in time where you, by FAITH, TRUST Christ

to MEET the need in that moment.

2.Entrustment

In addition to understanding steps of faith, there isone key faith word that I will be using that I would like todefine.Thatwordis“entrustment.” ENTRUSTMENT means GIVING OVER to God that which

is causing you stress and LEAVING it with Him.

3.YouMayHaveTo“Faith”ItUntilYou“Feel”ItI have found in walking in Christ as your Source that themostdifficultthingtounderstandisthataswedrawonChristtomeetourneedswemaynotimmediatelyfeelwhatChristis

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supplying.(i.e.Hispeace,acceptance,humility,etc.)Thekeytothe walk of faith is that even though we may not initiallyexperience what Christ is supplying, we know by faith He issupplyingit.Rememberthisconcerningfaith.

Faith means BELIEVING Christ is meeting your need even when there is NO initial feeling or

experience of that need being met.

For example, I may draw on Christ to be my peace in themomentbutImaynotnecessarilyexperienceHispeaceinthatmoment.However,whatdo Iknowby faith?He ispouringallofHispeaceinme.4. ContinueWalking By Faith Until You ExperienceWhatChristIsSupplyingBased on the previous truth, the key truth in the walk offaithistowalklongenoughbyfaithuntilyouexperiencewhatChristissupplying.For example, as you keep drawing on Christ’s peace thenyouwilleventuallyexperienceHispeace.Thekeyis:

To KEEP walking by faith UNTIL you do EXPERIENCE what Christ is supplying.

Iwillberepeatingsomeofthesetruthsaswelookatsomeofthefollowingexamples.ExamplesOfDrawingOnChristToMeetYourNeeds1.EntrustingVersusTakingOwnershipOfYourStressExample:Let’sassumeyougettoworkandfindoutyourbosshasmovedup thedeadline foraproject.The temptation is totakeownershipofyourstress. Ratherthantakeownershipof

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yourstress,GodwantsyoutoentrustittoHim.Why?Becauseyouarenotdesigned tohandle any stress.Here is apracticalstepoffaith.Step of faith: “Lord, I am tempted to take ownership of thisstress.However,byfaith,IchoosetoentrustmystresstoYou.”KeyTruth:WhatyouhavedoneisgivetheLordyourstress.Ifyou are not taking ownership of the stress, what does thatallow you to do? Walk in Christ’s peace and rest. In fact,anotherstepoffaithusingthissameexamplemightbethis.Stepoffaith:“Lord,IamentrustingmystresstoYouandIamtrustingYoutoBEmypeaceandrest.”Reminder: Youmaynot immediately feelChrist’speaceandrestbutbecauseyouaskedbyfaith,thenknowbyfaiththatallofChrist’speaceandrestisbeingpouredintoyou.Itmaytakeseveral steps of faith before you begin to experience Christ’speaceandbuteventuallyyouwill.2.DrawingOnChristToBeThe“IAM”InTheMomentYouStartFeelingTheNegativeEmotionsAssociatedWithYourUnmetExpectationsTake the listonpage39andadd thewords “IAM” toeachofthose Christ-like characteristics. Here are some examplesbelow.IAMyourjoy–John15:11IAMyouradequacy–2Corinthians3:5IAMyourwisdom–1Corinthians1:30IAMyourrest–Matthew11:28IAMyoursecurity–Proverbs1:33IAMyourconfidence–2Corinthians3:4IAMyourendurance–Hebrews10:36IAMyourpeace–Ephesians2:14IAMyourperseverance-Hebrews12:2IAMyourhumility–Matthew11:29IAMyouracceptance–Romans15:7

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IAMyourfreedom–John8:32IAMyourvictory–1Corinthians15:57IAMyourpatience–Galatians5:22IAMyourcourage–John16:33IAMyourself-control-2Timothy1:7Let’sapplythistoanexampleofnegativeemotionsasaresultofstress.Example: Your (very good) idea for a particular project wasshotdownbyyourboss.Yourexpectationwas thathewouldreadilyapproveof it.Youbegantostart feelingrejection.Youknow that if you hold on to that rejection, it might createdeeper negative feelings of resentment. Therefore, instead oftaking ownership of that rejection, a step of faith might looklikethis.Stepoffaith:“Lord,Iamfeelingrejectedbymyboss.However,byfaith,IchoosetoentrustmyrejectiontoYou.IamtrustingYou to BE my acceptance because You say, “I AM youracceptance.”KeyTruth:Whatif,overtime,youcometobelievethatyouaretotally accepted in Christ. Could anyone really reject you?Doyou have to take ownership of someone else’s rejection? Theansweris“no.”Evenifyouhaveafeelingofrejection,youdon'thavetotakeownershipofsomeoneelse’srejection.Wouldyoucallthatfreedom?Lookatthefollowingexampleofthistruth.Stepoffaith:“Lord,Iamfeelingrejectedbymyboss.However,byfaith,Iamnottakingownershipofhis/herrejectionbecauseIbelieveIamtotallyacceptedinChrist.”Exercise: Go back to Chapter Three and find some of thenegative feelings that you feel as a result of your unmetexpectations. Insert that negative feeling, the reason for thatfeeling,andwhatyouaretrustingChristtobeasthe“IAM.”

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Stepof faith:“Lord,Iamfeeling__________________________________because_______________________________________________________________.However, by faith, I choose to entrust my________________________________toYou.IamtrustingYoutoBEmy______________________________________.”Reminder:YoumayhavetotakeseveralstepsoffaithbeforeyouexperiencewhatJesusissupplying.3.DrawingOnChristToMeetYourNeedsConcerningYourJobRelatedFearsGobacktoChapterFourandfindsomeofthenegativefeelingsthatyoufeelasaresultof the fearsyoumaybeexperiencing.Letmegiveyouanexample.Example: The company you are working for is makingcutbacks.Afeelingoffeargripsyoubecauseyoustartthinkingyou are going to be the next person to be let go.What is theresultofhangingon to that fear?More fear. Insteadof takingownershipofthatfear,astepoffaithmightlooklikethis.Step of faith: “Lord, I am feeling fear about losing my job.However, by faith, I choose to entrust my fear to You. I amtrustingYoutoBEmycourage.”ApplyGod’sTruthIntoWhatYouAreExperiencingAnother key part of the process of walking by faith isapplyingGod’struthtowhatyouareexperiencing.ThisisoneofthereasonswelearnHistruthinordertoapplyittospecificstressfulworkplacesituations.Let’suse thepreviousexampleconcerning the company cutbacks and look at how we applyGod’struthtoasituation.Example: “Lord, I don’t have toworry aboutmy job becauseYou are sovereign and therefore in control ofwhether I keepmy job or not. If I lose my job, then I know that You willprovide another job because of your goodness and grace and

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because You promised to meet my needs. (Remember that itwasGodthatprovidedthejobhavenow.)Example: “Lord, I fear not meeting this deadline. However,your word says, ‘Fear not’ and ‘take courage.’ So I choose totrustYoutoBEmycourage.”Example: “Lord, I ambeing tempted to be prideful because Iwas complimented for successfully completing this project.Yourwordsaysthat“pridegoesbeforeafall.”RemindmethatmyabilityisfromYou,soIamaskingYoutoBEmyhumility.”Example:“Mybossdoesn'tlikemeandseemstounderminingmeeverychancehe/shecan.Isenseafeelingofunforgivenesstowards him/her. Remind me that I have all of YourforgivenessinmeandthatYoutotallyforgavemeonthecross.Therefore,replacemyunforgivenesswithYourforgiveness.”ConclusionThese are some examples that I hope will help you inunderstandingpracticallyhowtodrawonChristtomeetyourneeds.TherearethreefinaltruthsthatIwouldliketoshare.1. It is important to remember that this is a process not a“quickfix.”2. Wedon't’knowhow long it is togo from“faithing” ituntilyouexperienceChrist’speace,rest, joy,etc.Thekeyistokeeptakingstepsoffaithuntilyoudo.3. Theprocessisasupernaturalprocess.Idefinesupernaturallikethis. Supernatural means there is no man-made explanation

or human understanding for what God is doing in our lives.

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Weneed tounderstand thatGod is alwaysworking.Asweparticipate with Him by faith, He is supernaturally workingbehind the scenes to transform our lives. It is alwayssupernaturalbecausewedon'tknowwhatHeisdoingandhowHe is doing it. The key truth to understand is that God isworkingnon-stopwhetheryoufeelitornot.MovingFromLivingChristInTheMomentToExperiencingChrist-LikeAttitudesThereismorethatChristwilldoinadditiontomeetingyourneedsinthemoment.Lookatthetwoversesbelow.

“Benotconformedtothisworldbutbetransformedbytherenewingofyourmind.”Romans12:2

“Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ

Jesus.” Philippians 2:5WhatPaul issayinginthesetwoversesisthatChrist isnotonly meeting your need in the moment, but He is renewingyour mind and transforming you to walk with Christ-likeattitudes.WhatdoImeanbyChrist-likeattitudes?Let’slookatthelistofChrist-likecharacteristicsagain.Unconditionallove Victory WorthAcceptance Faith FreedomPatience Strength PeaceForgiveness Understanding SecurityFearlessness Wisdom DiscernmentAdequacy Humility Christ-confidenceBoldness Righteousness SelflessnessRest Compassion Courage Hope Gentleness Christ-controlFaithfulness Power Joy

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Letmegiveyouanexampletoexplain.Christwillnotonlymeet your need for peace in the moment but He will betransformingyousothatyouwilleventuallylivefromaChrist-likeattitudeofpeace.Whyisthisimportant?Ifyouareabouttotakeownershipofyour stress or negative feelings associated with it, then youneedChrist’speaceinthemoment.However,ifyouarewalkingwithanattitudeofpeacethennooneornothingcanrobyouofyourpeace. In otherwords, you canwalk throughyourworkdaywithanattitudeofpeace regardlessofwhat is thrownatyou.Therefore,knowbyfaiththatasChristismeetingyourneed,He isalso transformingyouto live fromaChrist-likeattitude.This is ultimately where God wants us to be because howwould it change how you look at your job if you were livingfrom a Christ-like attitude of peace, joy, rest, courage, etc.throughoutyourday?AbidingInChristInTheWorkplace

“I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you

can do nothing.” John 15:5A final point I want to make is that your are in union withChristaccordingtoJohn14:20:

“InthatdayyouwillknowthatIaminMyFather,andyouinMe,andIinyou.”

He put Himself in union with you because He wants arelationshipwithyou.SinceyouareinunionwithChristthenyou are in an abiding relationship with Him as described inJohn 15:5. In other words, Christ is in you wherever you go.Therefore, whether you are thinking about Him or not He isalwaysabidinginyouandyouareabidinginHim.

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His desire is that you will CONSTANTLY see your

need for Him because one of the results will be a DEEPER relationship with Him.

FinalThoughtI hope by this point the Holy Spirit has revealed yourmoment by moment need for Christ at your job. If so, I praythatyouwillbegindrawingon/trustingHimtonotonlymeetyour need in the moment but to transform you to live fromChrist-likeattitudes.Ifyoustilldon'tseeyourneed,IcanassureyouthatGodwillcause or allow events in your life so that you will eventuallyhaveeyestoseeyourneed.Partofopeningyoureyeswillbetoshowyouhowyourstressisnotonlyrobbingyoubutrobbingyourspouse,yourkids,andyourfriends.Thetruthis,whetherwerealizeitornot,weareindesperateneed forChristmomentbecause that ishowwewerecreatedandthatisourdesign.

Blessings in Christ,

Bill Lovelessp.s. If you have any thoughts concerningwhat you have readthatyouwouldliketoshareorhaveanyquestionsaboutwhatIhavewritten,pleaseemailmeattheaddressbelow:

Christ Is Life Ministries

Website: www.christislifeministries.com

Email: bill@christislifeministries.com (10-22-18)