Theme: OVERCOMING THE STRESSES OF THE AGE
Text: “A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.” – John 13:34, 35.
Comment: The Bible enjoins us as worshippers of God to love one another, to have consideration for one another, to think not only of our own wellbeing but also the wellbeing of others. (1 Corinthians 10:24; Philippians 2:4,5) This is the way to help one another to cope with the stressful situations we face everyday. The extended family system and communal lifestyle of Africans do help in this regard. St. Paul stated: “Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 2:4,5) We should practise the golden rule, doing to others as they would be done by. – Luke 6:31; Matthew 7:12.
Experts say that workplace stress due to oversights by enforcement agencies, labour inspectorates and occupational safety and health services, tax officers, sanitation officials, in the face of a declining economy, put workers under constant stress. Pressure from managers in their bid to meet high targets takes its toll on staff and it was not for nothing that a French judge reportedly had to place the former head of France Telecom on the spot for his alleged role in a wave of staff suicides. “Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me?” says the Prophet Daivd, “hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.” – Psalm 42:11.