A Radio Host's Stress-Filled Dreams and the Solution to Overwhelm
Facing overwhelm? This three-step practice empowered me to break through barriers
Ever since I was a radio host, I've had stressful dreams about getting locked out of the studio while a song was playing - prep humorous emoji here. Now, as a public speaker, I find myself standing in front of large crowds, forgetting my speech, much like Friendship Lab launch was approaching recently. One particularly vivid dream stands out.
In this dream, I was walking a narrow, precarious ledge, clutching a backpack. With each step, I encountered obstacles that threatened to hurl something from my bag into the abyss below. The dream symbolized my mounting anxiety about the entire project crumbling apart.
The apostle Paul once said, "Do not be anxious about anything" - ain't that just great advice if he hadn't followed it up with what to do instead.
First, Paul suggested focusing on God, rather than the problem at hand. By redirecting our attention towards the solution, we take the temporal bully out of the spotlight.
Second, he advised turning problems into prayers. In a more literal sense, I started writing a sentence prayer in my journal for each issue we faced daily.
Finally, he urged being grateful for all that's good, beautiful, and excellent. I jotted down everything we'd achieved and barriers we'd already scaled, reminding myself how far we'd come.
Alas, I can't claim to have transformed into a serene dove, laughing off adversity left, right, and center. But the more I practiced this three-step strategy, the less anxious I felt.
Despite difficult days still lying ahead, we ultimately managed to launch our charity with a memorable soiree, ranking amongmy happiest moments.
Today, I've decided to refuse to be overwhelmed, choosing to focus on my gratitude and turning my problems into prayers. Life can undoubtedly throw us curveballs, such as work stress, family tension, money pressures, and health issues, but with this approach, we can perhaps face them with a tad more resilience.
Sheridan Voysey,* a faith and spirituality broadcaster, recently published "Reflect with Sheridan." Grab his free, inspiring printable, The Creed, right here.***
Originally published in: Evangelical Focus - Pause for thought - Feeling overwhelmed? Try this 3-step practice to help you push through
Enrichment Data:
- Overall: Sheridan Voysey's "Pause for Thought" offers practical strategies for managing anxiety in professional life through a straightforward three-step practice. By embracing the principles of:
- Refusing to be overwhelmed: Focusing on refusing to let stress and anxiety dominate our lives.
- Practicing gratitude: Shifting focus towards appreciating our progress, which provides a different perspective on current challenges.
- Turning problems into prayers: Turning worries and challenges into prayers for spiritual support during tough times.
This 3-step practice provides a mindful and faith-based approach for handling stress and anxiety in both professional and personal settings[1].
In the realm of workplace-wellness, prioritizing health-and-wellness practices can be beneficial. This includes regular fitness-and-exercise, proper nutrition, and maintaining mental-health. Sheridan Voysey's "Pause for Thought" suggests a three-step strategy to manage stress in professional life: refusing to be overwhelmed, practicing gratitude, and turning problems into prayers. By focusing on one's progress and seeking spiritual support, stress and anxiety can be more effectively addressed in both professional and personal settings. Such practices can contribute to a more resilient mindset in the face of life's challenges.
