This week I officially started a completely new job and immediately faced a spectrum of feelings and emotions. And I'm pretty sure that most of us sooner or later go through something similar whether it's moving houses, starting school, changing jobs, or even marriage or childbirth.
This is why most of you are familiar with the feeling of insecurity and uncertainty, fear of failure and anxiety about change, attempts to prove your competency, and thoughts of inferiority. To some extent, I faced all of these this week so I wanted to share my experience of overcoming these feelings.
*disclaimer - I'm not a therapist or a professional, and this list is not exhaustive and possibly not even relevant for someone. But it is my personal experience :)
№1 Face Your Giant
Many times I've come across this advice: it's easier to fight a problem if you can name it. This works both from a psychological point of view (meaning if you know it you can at least google how to fight it) and from a spiritual perspective (name your enemy in prayer and proclaim the victory).
For example, by my third working day, I finally realized that the thoughts that have been bothering me lately can be called "impostor syndrome" (a psychological occurrence in which an individual doubts their skills, talents, or accomplishments and has a persistent internalized fear of being exposed as a fraud). That is why I always said that it was only by God's grace that I got the job and worried that soon my coworkers would be disappointed in my skills and knowledge.
When I figured out the problem I found out that more than 70% of people face it and it's completely normal. Just this fact already made me feel better.
№2 Conquer Your Thoughts
A lot of mental (and even physical) issues start in our heads, this is why it's very important to have the right mindset. I actually wrote a post about it not too long ago.
This is why when I'm scared, I try to convince myself that my fears are ungrounded (while looking at real facts). When I'm anxious about getting everything on time, I review my schedule and plan how much time I need to make sure I have enough and calm down about it. If I think that I don't know anything I remember that people who actually know nothing usually are very confident in their knowledge which I'm not, so I'm good. And so on!
The Bible says: "Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it" (Prov. 4:23, NIV)
Make sure to guard your heart and mind against all the destructive thoughts!
№3 Talk About It
It's hard to fight a problem alone, and how much easier it becomes when you share what's on your heart with someone! This week I tried to discuss my feelings with anyone who would agree to listen to me. I talked to my family who can comfort me, I talked to my coworkers that also joined the team not too long ago, and talked to people who have been working for a long time and have some wisdom to share.
I talked to them about my thoughts and anxieties, I asked them about their experience of battling similar problems and was looking for any advice that could help me. As I expected, turned out I'm not the only one who finds new seasons in life challenging, I found out it takes some time and I'm going in the right direction.
The Bible, by the way, gives us similar advice:
"Incline your ear, and hear the words of the wise, and apply your heart to knowledge, for it will be pleasant if you keep them within you" (Prov. 22:17-18)
In Russian translation the word "pleasant" means "comforting" and I completely agree with this idea.
№4 Seek God
I probably should have started with this, but I saved the best for last. The truth is, we often do a similar thing in our lives, put seeking God off "for better times" since we don't see the direct connection with our problem. For example, on the first day of work, it's more important to come on time than start your day by reading the Bible (since you can always read it later).
The problem is, sometimes we find a million excuses, not realizing the importance of this practice. We might be partially right since it might be better to get enough sleep than stay up praying, or being in the office it's better to focus on your work than to get distracted by listening to sermons. But building a relationship with God is, in fact, so easy!
Sometime this week on my way to work I called for God's guidance and help, and at the end of this day, I realized that I'm not as tired and in a pretty good mood. The next day I started by reading a chapter from the Scriptures, and around lunchtime, I was texting my husband "I feel so content right now!"
I don't know how it works. But I know for sure that God always helps out those who seek Him. He never lets down those who put their trust in Him. I know that the Bible is a fount of wisdom applicable in all spheres, and prayer has the power to fill our hearts and thoughts with peace and joy from the Father.
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." (Phil. 4:5, NIV)
The Bible tells us to not be anxious about anything (even though it's not always easy to do) but lay our burdens at the Father's feet. And then we will be able to have peace that would conquer every fear (and impostor syndrome) and would let us fully enjoy a new and exciting season of our lives!
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