Sunday 29 June 2008

Overwork

It is possible to overwork. We use the term workaholic when a person seems to make work their life. Some are defined by their work.

I do believe that a strong work ethic is a constructive thing, but there is a limit. Some people suffer burn-out as a result of the stress of work. The effects can be debilitating. We do need to find a balance in life that will support the balance of our thinking and actions.

Let's be prepared to die for God, but not kill ourselves in the process.

Philippians 4:5 (NLT)
5 Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon.

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

Good post Commissioner Jim, You have dealt with a very real problem in the Australia today.
It is almost a disease these days.
It's no good having a house big enough to play cricket in and a water view to go with it if you spend most of your life working to pay for it!
Scripture says "Be content with what you have!"

Anonymous said...

A sense of humour, commissioner? Are you sure that is Christ-like? I don't get an impression that Jesus joked around. Saving souls is a deadly serious business. Such grave concerns do not readily lend themselves to mirth.

Anonymous said...

David, lighten up! Jesus was a man of joy as well as sorrows, all part of being fully human. There are many references to joy and laughter in the Scriptures. It was FOR THE JOY set before him that he endured the cross.... Annette

Anonymous said...

How apt it is that you have blogged on this subject at this point in time. I have just come home from work - I work in a very small company and yet out of 6 staff members 2 of them at the moment have had to take time out because of stress. Thankfully I'm not one of them but my faith in a mighty God helps me to balance my life so that there is time for Him, time for work and yes, time for me. I may not have all the things that wealth can buy but I am richer than them all through Christ my Lord. I pray for them each day. One of these people who has been on stress leave asked me to pray for her and the family - what an opportunity. Today she asked me to keep up the prayers because she thinks they are working. Praise God for that but I also pray that she will learn to pray for herself and seek to know God.

Michael L. Gooch, SPHR said...

Great and timely article. Work stress takes a much larger toll on our health than we care to admit. For a handful of money, we give the corporations our health and years off of our lives. The current crisis with gasoline prices simply compounds the problems of the working American. And with oil predicted to reach $200 a barrel, it will only get worse, which is why the major corporations should begin to address the impact this is having on its workforce. Creative solutions or less profit taking could be in order. In my management book
I devote an entire section to the effects of stress on our mental and physical health. Not from a medical point of view but rather from the view of a human resources professional of 30 years. Stress kills and will keep killing as long as we refuse to learn the coping tools. Michael L. Gooch, SPHR Author of Wingtips with Spurs: Cowboy Wisdom for Today’s Business Leaders http://www.michaellgooch.com

Jim Knaggs said...

John - Thank you for this constructive word.

David/Anette - I leave it with you.

Anon - As i read your comments, I pray God's sustaining power into the family you describe.

Michael - Thank you. Looks good.

Anonymous said...

Dear Commissioner,
Thanks for your good word. I love Paul when he says run in such a way that you win the race! Exhaustion and burn out is not running well. I pray that you get the oppourtunity to have day's off as you model rest to the territory! Thank you!!!