THE BLOG

Have you ever stepped into a room and immediately got welcomed by chaos and stress? Is it even possible to stay calm in stressful environments like this?

I invite you right now, visualize people’s voices up and down in volume over each other, trying to get their own opinions and thoughts on top of each other.

Staff scurrying back and forth, getting papers signed and photocopied. People entering and leaving meeting rooms. Bosses lining up to their next schedules. Assistants following after.

Footsteps, chatters, keyboard typing, music in the background.

That’s every corporate setting you walk yourself in.

I’m not even including the spiritual and emotional sense of the room. If you’re a sensitive person like I am, it’s different. I do get to turn it off when not needed (if you’re interested to find out how I do let me know in the comments below), but when the Holy Spirit is pressing a discernment on me, there’s an action that must be obeyed after.

I’m just thinking about it and I sense the stress, the anxiety, and the madness of emotions people are feeling in this picture and I’m getting stressed for the people! 😫😳😱

Imagine when you’re in the middle of a launch season, everyone is extra chaotic!

My Experience

I’ve never worked in a corporate business setting, but in the last decade ++, I’ve been surrounded by friends who live and breathe the corporate world. I’ve listened to them describe in detail the toxic environment in their offices. 

My experience with work includes interning in hospitals for 3 years. I managed a business with a team of 10 people and when we were in the middle of multiple projects, it can get really stressful.

Back then, even when I was already a Christian, I hadn’t yet learned how to live in the unforced rhythms of grace. When someone projects their stress towards me, as a very sensitive and empathetic person, I absorb it easily, and I try to find solution and peace amongst the group or individuals involved, or project negative emotions onto others myself! (not proud of that)

It was unhealthy, unsustainable and unpredictable.

When It Changed For Me

I truly believe my life completely changed when I was baptised in the Holy Spirit in 2015. See, it doesn’t automatically mean you are filled and have been baptised by the Holy Spirit once you become a Christian. You do receive the Holy Spirit in you once you receive Jesus but not be filled. I tried to deny that before, but my life after 2015 was completely at ease and filled with joy and peace- different kind- not a life of striving.

Back in Sydney, Australia, I’ve worked in the makeup industry for 3 years, and it is hectic and toxic in its own way.
In our church, we had one event after the other, and we get involved in different ministries.

For the non-for-profit organizations I volunteered at, we had different events and places to go.

Currently, in my own business, I’ve experienced multiple business and offer launches, both mine and my clients.

In the current church plant I am a part of, every Sunday we meet with different technical problems, etc. and I can honestly say for most of them, I have not been affected by stress. 

Stress and the pressure was there, problems abound even, but I have learned how to not let it affect me. I’ve learned how to remain calm and collected in the midst of stressful environments. Everyone around me can be running around in panic, and you’ll find me on the side doing my own thing, chill and lax. I know it even annoys others how relaxed I am.😅

The truth is it’s not me- it’s the Holy Spirit who fills me so much with peace.

Today, I’ll teach you 3 Ways to help you get to this point.

3 Ways to Have Peace in the Midst of Stress

1. Spend a lot of time in the secret place with God.

At the end of the day, nay, also the beginning of the day, it all points back to Jesus. All our strength comes from Him. It makes sense.🤷🏽‍♀️

Let me explain to you the concept of overflow.

We love others best when we receive love from the Source of Love Himself. (1 John 4) I always think of it this way, if my love tank is empty or half filled, loving others from that space is lacking. It will show as impatient, irritated, unconcerned, just plain limited.

When I choose to put God first, spend time with Him and be filled with Him, my love tank is not just full but overflowing. Loving from that overflow is spectacular! 

Especially this season of my life, I’ve been experiencing this at the peak its ever been. The type of people that used to drain me or I just don’t know how to lead or disciple them. Yep, the hardened heart, new agey, liars and manipulators. Sometimes even rolled into one person 😂. The thought of such a person is already annoying right? But when I’m in the moment, I only feel the love of the Heavenly Father for the person, it even moves me to tears!

Imagine operating from the overflow of the love of the Heavenly Father. That’s what makes it possible to function in a calm and collected manner even when you’re surrounded by a stress..

2. Living Spirit-filled day in and day out.

“In Him we live, we move and have our being.” Acts 17:28

What’s the difference with spending time with God and living a Spirit-filled life, Jenna?

We intentionally carve out time in the secret place with the Lord- the receiving part. Receiving revelations, hearing from Him, or even surrendering things to Him.

Living filled with His Holy Spirit means we live and breathe Him. It looks like being constantly aware He is with you. He has promised never to leave us nor forsake us, right? 

In Exodus 33:14 He promised,

“The LORD replied, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”

When His Presence resides in us, Rest is ours.

That rest means peace and total trust and dependence in God.

3. Renew Your Mindset to Seek Him First

This may sound redundant from the last three points, but seeking Jesus first means fixing our eyes on Jesus. 

When you practice seeking God first everyday of your life, it may start as a challenge because you never did before and you are not used to it. Then next thing you know it becomes a sometimes thing, then an everyday habit, and it becomes a part of your lifestyle. 🥳🎉

See, when you choose to fix your eyes on Jesus, your eyes are on Him and not the problems or the stress. You hear people but His voice and presence overpowers the others.

Putting Him first even when you are in launch season and there’s still piles of work left to do, speaks that you trust Him. And He honors that by fulfilling His end.

Matthew 6:33 says,

“Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things will be added to you.”

4. Set Boundaries

Learning to say yes to the right things and saying NO to the things that are not for me set me free many years ago. 

Setting boundaries at work, in your church ministry, family, other relationships, it will change and revolutionize your life. This means not allowing work to rule you, but you are a steward of your work. Don’t let it consume you to the point of rendering you powerless.

I tell people all the time, you get stressed because you dipped your toes into areas you are not graced for. If the fish is out of the water more than a couple of seconds, it dies. So is when we function in areas we are not graced by the Lord for, burntout and stress ensues.

In Conclusion

Let me paint a picture, applying these 4 principles.

It’s launch time in the office, everybody is busy and scrambling to do their last minute touch ups. Panic is ensuing, stress is rising up. Your colleagues and bosses tenses up.

But you are not affected. 

You said no when they asked you to add 2 more roles in the project you all are a part of. 

Instead of doing overtime, you spent more time with Jesus.

When you woke up this morning , you prayed and had coffee. You took control of your mind and made it obedient to Christ by choosing to read your Bible before you opened Instagram or Facebook.

Your heart is not tense or overworked when someone asks you a question.

You move in grace from task to task, taking your time accordingly- may it be swiftly or slowly.

In everything during this busy time, you may be physically tired, but God’s grace abounds so much, your sleep is uninterrupted, the peace of the Holy Spirit fills and consumes you. 

Finally, for the first time in your life, stress did not rule over your life.

Is this something you hope to have in your life? Share your thoughts in the comment section below.

If any of the above topics even resonated with you and you know you need help in this area of your life, come join girl!

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