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STRESS POINT

Thomas Nelson

Contents

Introduction..............................................................................................9Chapter 1: Stress Point: Career Wishing for That Dream Job................................................13Chapter 2: Stress Point: Self-Image Comfortable in My Own Skin............................................33Chapter 3: Stress Point: Body Image I Heart the Skinny Mirror.............................................55Chapter 4: Stress Point: Love/Dating Part 1 He Is Just That into You......................................77Chapter 5: Stress Point: Love/Dating Part 2 Quite Intense.................................................97Chapter 6: Stress Point: Friends and Family Save the Drama................................................123Chapter 7: Stress Point: Money Retail Therapy Doesn't Cut It..............................................147Chapter 8: Stress Point: Stepping Out on Your Own Miss Independent........................................171Chapter 9: Stress Point: Making a Difference I Can Make a Difference (Start a Ripple).....................193Chapter 10: Stress Point: Spiritual Maturity Growing Through the Stress...................................217Conclusion................................................................................................243Stress Point Survival Group Leader Guide..................................................................253Extra Resources Appendix..................................................................................269Notes.....................................................................................................271About Proverbs 31 Ministries..............................................................................272

Chapter One

Nearly every woman in her twenties at some point deals with career woes. We may not be in our dream job at this moment, and we may find ourselves so completely frustrated we'd rather curl up in bed with the comforter over our heads than go to work. But our careers were never meant to be the center of our lives. God planned your career to be a spoke in the wheel of your life, with Him alone as the hub of that wheel. He wants to be not only a reality in your career but the grounding point, the still center to which you come for wisdom, guidance, and godly success. Take a look at these case studies of three 20-something women navigating their careers. Maybe you will see yourself in these examples and take a deep look into your own career situation, evaluating your own top priority.

Girlfriend Case Study #1

Andrea ("Andy") Sachs from the movie The Devil Wears Prada. Andy is a young girl who moves to New York City in the hope of kick-starting a career as a serious journalist. Instead, she ends up as one of two personal assistants to the high-powered editor-in-chief of a top-notch fashion magazine. Andy is professionally and fashionably out of her league in her new job, but she's determined to make it work. Her boss, Miranda Priestly, sees Andy's potential and seems to test her again and again. Andy is frequently instructed to run out-of-control errands and meet impossible deadlines, yet she accomplishes every task with grace and determination, a characteristic that sets her apart from other girls in the office. Miranda notices and takes Andy under her wing. Andy almost loses touch with her dream as she flits around, basking in the glitz and glamour of the fashion world, but a conversation with Miranda jolts her back to reality. As Miranda and Andy sit alone in a limo following a meeting where Miranda has publicly stabbed a friend and colleague in the back, Miranda alludes to the fact that Andy is just like her—a thought that shakes Andy to her core. An interesting exchange transpires, sealing a decision for Andy:

Andy: What if I don't want this?

Miranda: Oh, don't be silly—everyone wants this. Everyone wants to be us.

It is Andy's dream of becoming a professional journalist that ultimately breaks her from the vice grip of Miranda Priestly. At the end of the movie, Andy runs into Miranda on the street, and Miranda doesn't even acknowledge her. Later on, we see Miranda in a limo with a smile on her face, as though to wish Andy well. An interesting note, after standing her ground, Andy ultimately gained Miranda's respect, which lead to an influential recommendation from Miranda to Andy's new employer.

Girlfriend Case Study #2

Ruth: a beautiful, intelligent, and ambitious career woman. During her college years, Ruth was highly focused and determined to graduate and find a high-powered job. She was the president of her sorority and involved in many campus groups. Once graduation came around, though, Ruth found herself unable to isolate her true passion and translate it into a job. Interested in world travel, Ruth took a job as a flight attendant, but the events of 9/11 changed circumstances drastically for the airline industry. Finding herself laid off, Ruth bravely packed up and moved from New York City back home to Texas. In the years immediately following, Ruth found herself once again in a state of limbo, uncertain of her passion and direction. Several job opportunities came around, but Ruth always found herself discontent with her situation, and she never stayed in one job for more than a short time. Each one of these job positions could have led her to a successful career, but the waning excitement after a few months in a new job often left Ruth unmotivated and unfulfilled. She recognized that each successive job had taught her valuable skills, and she was grateful for the experience; yet Ruth found herself continuously on the lookout for the "next best thing." She was searching endlessly for a dream job that she had not yet defined.

Girlfriend Case Study #3

Sarah (Me): a sales representative who focused in on one area of interest and landed her dream job by the age of twenty-four. During my senior year of college I aspired to find a sales position and worked hard to realize this goal. When I wasn't in class, working, or socializing, I spent most of my extra time researching the sales industry and networking. Although I was told by a recruiter at a college career fair that I wasn't ready to take on this type of job, I was determined that one day I would be. Several years later I did in fact find myself working for a large sales company and loving life. Day in and day out I thrived on successful sales calls, and the company rewarded me nicely for my passion and intensity. My whole world revolved around this dream job—it had become my passion. I lived for this dream job, but at what expense?

Worshiping at the Throne of the King

No matter what stage of our career we currently find ourselves in or what level of enthusiasm we bring to our job, we're called to worship our Lord in every situation. But if I'm stressing about my job, or the lack thereof, I would prefer to mope around in my jammies, feeling sorry for myself. When I'm experiencing career issues, it is difficult for me to find the energy just to lift my hands in praise.

Together in this book we will look at different names of God that shed light on His character. In the Old Testament especially, the Hebrews used names of God to display His character as a means of telling how God spoke to...