Stress is common in leadership roles. About 33% of people live in extreme stress daily—stress that affects their physical health, mental health and spiritual well-being. 80% of people feel stress at work.[1] Money, work, family, relationships, costs, job stability, health problems and more causes us stress constantly. It’s estimated that American employers spend $300 billion every year on health care and lost work days linked to stress. Up to 80 percent of workplace accidents come from stress or stress-related problems, like being too distracted or tired. Can your stressed be managed, or better yet, overcome?
Overcoming stress means identifying the source and then having support to cope with it. Faith-centered leaders can look to Scripture when they are stressed. God knows our stress and understands it, and wants us to have relief from it. Psalm 119:143 confirms: “Trouble and distress have come upon me, but Your commands give me delight.” The Bible tells us how to handle stress in life and leadership.
Overcoming Busy-ness. You may be overloaded, overwhelmed, snowed, swamped or tied up. A recent Gallup survey found that the 40-hour workweek has expanded to more than 50 hours for many executives and professionals.[2] A USA Today poll taken annually since 1987 found that every year, an average of 69% of people reported they were busier than the year before. We sacrifice sleep, rest, recreation, hobbies, friends and family for our busy-ness. We pile on more and more and more. How can you overcome the stress of busy-ness?
Psalm 94:19 says, “When the cares of my heart are many, Your consolations cheer my soul.” When you have much on your mind, turn to God. The word consolation in Scripture describes comfort for the distressed and anxious. John 14:26 says that the Holy Spirit comforts us. The Spirit brings us God’s presence and peace. The Scriptures also give us counsel, or wise advice. They remind us of God’s promises and His instructions to us. Spending daily time in the Word of God and prayer is an antidote to busy-ness.
Overcoming Performance pressure. Are you stressed by deadlines, the urge to improve or achieve, to finish well or to attain a high level of success? Some leaders argue that pressure improves performance. They’ll say, “I work better under pressure.” But research shows this simply is not true. In fact, working consistently under pressure and stress erodes mental health, increases the rate of error and over time erodes performance.[3] How do you overcome the stress of performance pressure?
Remember, when you’re in a storm as a leader, that we serve a God who calms storms.
Matthew 6:34 says, “Therefore, do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” The Bible confirms that last-minute scrambles and looming deadlines only make us anxious. Instead, consistently and steadily focus on one day at a time. A famous example of this is auto-maker Henry Ford. In the early twentieth century Ford standardized a shorter 40-hour work-week and increased employees’ weekly wages. When work hours went down and pay rates went up, efficiency and productivity skyrocketed. Slowing down and focusing on consistency is the antidote to performance pressure.
Overcoming relationship issues. Arguments, grievances, complaints, disagreements—for a leader, every relationship is a complex ball of needs, wants, emotions and responsibilities to manage. Relationships are difficult to maintain and keep at peace because they are all unique. They also require understanding, communication, and often an unselfish mindset. A leader is often in the position of the counselor or negotiator. How do you overcome the stress of relationships?
The Bible’s answer to the stresses of relationships is clear:
“My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.” John 15:12
“Do to others as you would have them do to you.” Luke 6:31
“Do everything in love.” 1 Corinthians 16:14
“A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.” Proverbs 17:17
Christ-centered love is the paramount command on Scripture when it comes to people and relationships. This is not romantic love, but instead the love that values a person simply because they are a God-created being, worthy of effort and encouragement. When a leader approaches people difficulties from the standpoint of genuine care and concern for their well-being, and a desire to see broken connections restored, he engenders trust to help bridge divides and disagreements. A loving leader is the antidote to relationship pressure.
Overcoming crisis situations. In any up-front role the leader is going to be called on in difficult and challenging circumstances. It’s often assumed that one’s experience and wisdom will see the people and organization through a tough encounter. We’ve all known leaders who don’t respond to a crisis, but rather react in a way that enrages the situation instead of calming it down. A faith-centered leader must be able to absorb the stress of a predicament as well as see it through to a solution. How do you overcome the stress of a crisis?
Jesus reminds us in John 16:33, “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” In a crisis, a faith-centered leader’s first step is to focus on Christ. In this world we will have tribulation. A leader’s current situation or difficulty is no surprise to God. His next words are of comfort: take heart. This can be translated to take courage or confidence in Christ. In other words, have hope. Things will get better soon. God is still in control.
Once the leader reminds himself of this encouragement, he can then remind those around him. Don’t forget that Jesus calms storms (Matthew 8:23-27, Mark 4:35-41). In the New Testament this was a physical miracle, but for the leader today it is a reminder that the God we serve in the storms of life is quite capable of seeing us through them. Courage and confidence in the leader that come from a spiritual foundation is the antidote to the pressure of a crisis.
Anxiety most often grows from lack of knowledge and/or control. It’s easy to be afraid of that which we don’t understand, or can’t foresee. The Bible addresses anxiety directly. We find at least three spiritual resources we can use to overcome anxiety in life and work.