The Stress of Labor

This is the lesson from February 3, 2008.

Introduction: In past weeks, we have
Looked at stress in general: Our scripture passage centered on Paul’s poetic words in Philippians 4.
Stress that is a result of failure on our own part: Scripture passage was about Peter’s denial during the trial of Jesus
Stress that is a result of conflict: Scripture passage had to do with conflict between tribes of Israel recorded in Joshua

I am going to read the scripture that is cited today … my question for you will be. What source of stress are we discussing today?

Wheeler read Scripture Passage: Exodus 5: 1-2, 10 - 23

Today our focus will be on “The Stress of Labor,” stress that burdens our life that results from our life of work. The quarterly classifies that stress in three categories. responsibilities, relationships, and environment.

In class we created three work groups to work on these three sources of stress. We also asked each workgroup to think about this question: What resources/insights do we have as Christians that assist us as we struggle to keep stress of the workplace from dominating our lives. Below you will find notes from each work group as well as some comments from the quarterly.

Group 1: What are some ways that our responsibilities in the work place may invoke stress?

Multiple tasks that stretch us thin. In our group each of us have more than one “job” and any one of the jobs would be enough for a days work. Tasks beyond our knowledge or skill level
Tasks below our skill level
Tasks that make us responsible for lives or welfare of others
Tasks that put our life or health at risk

What resources/insights do we have as Christians that assist us as we struggle to keep stress of the workplace from dominating our lives.

o In prayer we can go to God for perspective and comfort
o In Christian community we can share and get support for some of the burdens we carry in our work; we are stronger in our minds because of our community
o From our faith we have a framework from which to make decisions
o Our job is not our life: family, Christian community, service to God and his people are other “higher purposes” in our lives
o Our highest good is not to acquire more money or power

Group 2: Identify and discuss the relationships in the workplace that may be sources of stress.

Three kinds of relationship that can lead to stress in workplace: relationships with boss, co-workers, and clients/customers.
A primary source of stress involves co-workers who are either whiners or who blow up at the slightest provocation. Persons who see everything as a “glass half full” can poison a work environment.

What resources/insights do we have as Christians that assist us as we struggle to keep stress of the workplace from dominating our lives?

One of our understandings of work is that we are servants giving gifts to glorify God.
God gives us the perspective to see the glass as “half full” instead of half empty.
We have a broader of perspective because of history and our roots.
We can understand our bosses, coworkers and customers as persons
loved by God


Group 3: What are some aspects of work conditions or environment that may lead to stress.

Physical conditions can be hot, cluttered, disorganized, drab, run-down.
There can be physical hazards: machines, bullets
The environment can be very political
The work environment can be very insecure (threat that job comes to an end)

What resources/insights do we have as Christians that assist us as we struggle to keep stress of the workplace from dominating our lives?

Knowledge that our work is meaningful and part of a bigger purpose.
First Peter


Summary by Ed: We have done a wonderful job of identifying sources of stress in the workplace and resources that Christians have in coping with those stresses. In addition to the resources mentioned above we might add:

The fact that work is affirmed by our faith. In the creation account in Genesis, God is portrayed as working to bring about creation and then resting. When Adam and Eve were put in the garden, their purpose was to “work it and care for it.” In the New Testament work is affirmed in scriptures such as I Thessalonians 3:6- 8 and I Timothy 5:8.

We can understand our bosses, coworker, and customers as persons
Loved by God
Sinful and bearing burdens of our own: One of Claire’s father’s favorite sayings was, “Don’t be too hard on anyone you meet, you never know what burdens they are carrying that day.”

We can understand the work place as a place to which we are called to bring salt and light … a place of ministry … and, in the right circumstances, a place of witness.


Lifechange Lessons [These were not covered in class but are some ideas of “changes” we can bring to bear on our work stress that were given in the book we are using]

1. List the sources of your stress and identify the top three factors that “steal joy” from your job.
2. Identify reasonable, action steps to reduce the stressors.
a. Effective people work within their circle of influence. They realize that there is much beyond their control, but there is also much that they can do within their circle of influence
Example: Relationship with boss
Determine what boss wants: (by asking, listening, observing)
Determine how to deliver what boss wants
Decide if you are willing to pay the cost of delivery
3. Evaluate your compatibility with your job
4. Avoid the urban myth of the perfect job: “Someplace there is a perfect job … I just need to keep moving until I find it.”