Dealing with stress, part two......

Hey, still dealing with stress. My job is very stressful at times, but then, who's isn't. Well, I do think mine is just a little extra stressful, but I'm learning to not get so stressed. Yesterday, I had a very much younger coworker minister to me about it. Yikes, who does this young whipper snapper think she is, telling me what to do?! After all, besides her youth, I have worked with homeless, messed up women much longer than she. Aside from the fact that her personality is one that is more self contained, holds things in more, and mine, everything is worn on my sleeve and face, and sometimes my mouth, the Bible has some good words about this, as it does for everything.... "Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech , in life, in love, in faith and in purity". 1 Timothy 4:12.

My coworker, C, said, "You're being stressed is not good for you, nor for me....." (Amongst other very kind and generous words). Being an open person, wanting to always change and grow, I humbled myself (in which the Bible has tons and tons to say about pride and humility), and I agreed, yes, I must not get so stressed out about other people's problems, sins and failures.

Working in a program that only accepts women with disabilities of mental illness, recovering substance abuse and HIV/Aids, is quite a challenge. We have 18 apartments, and most of our women are doing wonderfully and are so encouraging to serve, however sometimes some women are just not ready to have the freedom of their own apartment.

Yes, if we don't have our own stresses and problems, and I have plenty of my own, than I'm carrying on the weight of other people's stresses. This world is full of them. My very best remedy, besides music, playing a computer game, watching a movie with my honey, doing a craft, is to put my trust, daily, in Jesus. To read His word and talk to God. To surrender all of my cares and woes to Him, and to know that God cares, even if it seems as if He is silent mostly, I can trust Him for everything. And I can be humble and hear a good word from even someone half my age. Just because I'm older doesn't mean that I'm not needy, and just because she's younger doesn't mean she's not wise. God's truth isn't a respecter of person's.

Blogging and stress.....

It has been 2 months since I have blogged, and yet it is reported that I have one person a week reading my blog. Haha! My husband got 100 people reading his blog yesterday! Oh well, we have different gifts, and I am learning to not covet his gifts any longer. He is an excellent writer, amongst other things. I have my own gifts, as do you.
I want to blog, and will try and be a little more regular, in case there would be that one person that I could have an encouraging word. Also, I need an encouraging word, if even I just use my blog as a journal, with noone reading it. My work at the shelter has been very stressful lately!
Being a Case Manager with homeless women with disabilities of mental illness and recovering substance abuse, is a challenge. Most of the ladies are doing wonderfully, and it is very rewarding to help people out of homelessness go forward. However, there is always a woman or two that is struggling. It's always the naughty child that gets most of the attention. But then, we are there for the children, and hopefully, there to help a woman to have another chance to do good and make something good out of their life. "It's not over till it's over!"
When I am stressed out, that is the time for me to be praying and ask God to take care of the situation. I'm not capable to handle some very hard situations. Fortunately we have other people that we can turn to, in dealing with hard problems. The truth in situations always come out, and things have a way of working out.
To know God and be a follower of Him is one of the most fortunate and wonderful things that can happen to a person. It is by God's grace that we can stay on the 'straight and narrow path'. Having a healthy 'fear of God' is a great aid in being able to do so.