Chapter 1: What Works and What Doesn't

What Works and What Doesn’t is the section of Chapter One in Stressed-Less Living that describes me to a “tee.” I have done it all–sharing my feelings with friends and coworkers, to the point that I’m sure they went running the opposite way when they saw me. I would stay angry with those that were causing stress in my life. This was so true when it came to work situations. I have always found reasons to dislike my job and dislike certain people I work with. After all, it’s all their fault that I’m stressed. If only they would…, then I would be happy and everything would be great.

I also did everything to try and make myself happy–massages, days off, and just like the author, my downfall was SHOPPING. I, too, always felt good when I bought new clothes–look good, feel good, but needless to say I always racked up a heap of bills, draining my savings accounts and charging up credit cards, which then stressed me out. I’ve always tried to look for happiness by finding a new job, finding a new church, trying to find a way to start my own business so I wouldn’t have to work for anyone else. I realize that I have been miserable for the majority of my life, always blaming my job, my marriage, my children, the house, the neighbors--you name it, it stressed me out!

I need to ask God for peace. I feel that I have started to trust Jesus–I needed to, as back in October I was laid off from my job. I’m in the middle of a divorce, and losing my job was not something I planned. I prayed and prayed that I would be OK, and within two months, I had two job offers. The job I accepted has had its challenges, so now I’ve begun to complain about having to work. Goodness, you’d think I’d be happy and thankful I have a job! After reading this chapter, I realized that I need to go to work every day, trusting Jesus. Trusting Him to make my day complete, and the days that I ask for His peace and presence, I have noticed I leave work and go home much calmer than I do on those days that I let myself get wrapped up into work.

Right now I also have to trust Jesus as I am drowning in legal fees from my divorce. I have now decided to “fire” my attorney and get a new one, knowing that it will cost me to start over again. I don’t know where I’m going to get the money, but I need to just trust and pray that Jesus will help me.