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Bible Verse: Proverbs 18:14 “A man’s spirit will endure sickness, but a crushed spirit who can bear?”
Insight: Physical sickness is something that nearly everyone in life has been through. We often rate our response to this sickness based on how drastic the injury is. If it’s a tiny scrape we say to get a band-aid and carry on. However, if it’s something like cancer we mourn over the diagnoses and pray for healing.
This verse tells us that a crushed spirit is even more serious than the worst of injuries. While an injury or sickness is a harm to the body, a crushed spirit is a harm to the soul, which the bible points out is far more precious. We must care for our soul as we care for our bodies. We must give it time to rest in the Lord, as we give our bodies rest. A crushed spirit may separate us from God, which is the worst pain we can bear. Let us repair our spirits in this challenging life, and cling to God rather than the temporary things of this world.
Work Application: It is often easy to have a crushed spirit while at work. We get tired and burnt out, the job does not meet our expectations. A crushed spirit affects every aspect in your life. While it may cause arguments at home due to exhaustion, it can also lead to poor work ethic and a lack of respect for your boss, or co-workers. Fixing this issue begins outside of the workplace. Lifting up your spirit through the Word, and allowing yourself time to rest in God will lead to a renewed spirit in the workplace. In From Illusion to Reality, Sarah Y Tse. mentions seemingly tedious jobs that she had such as cleaning toilets in a men’s restroom. She reminds her readers of committing to excellence in each job. She says to do this, you must “...work hard, be humble, and live with integrity in every task, no matter the size,” (32). You will find peace and happiness in the mundane once you realize that even the simplest of tasks are part of your ministry.
Gratitude: I am grateful for the Lord and the joy that he gives me. He lifts up my spirit and allows me to find peace in every aspect of my life, no matter how big or small. I am also grateful for my physical health, and that even in times of illness I can find peace in Him.
If you would like to learn more about Sarah and other professionals’ journeys, along with tips for success as a young person in the workplace, purchase a copy of our book, From Illusion to Reality or download the author’s top ten tips for FREE and follow us on our Instagram https://www.instagram.com/illusion2realitybook/ !
Contributor: Alexis Anderson is an intern as a brand development managing editor at TSE Worldwide Press. She is a senior at Biola University, studying English with an emphasis in writing, along with a minor in Biblical Studies. Alexis aims to inspire others through her words and character.