I have crippling anxiety about getting my work done in time, and I don’t know how to cast my worries on God. What should I do?
Anxiety about work often seems inescapable: Sleepless nights as our heads spin with all the things we need to do. Hearts racing every time we remember an imminent deadline. That sinking feeling of dread as we get ready for work.
We just can’t do it all. We know we’re going to let down our bosses, our clients, and ourselves. So we commit to trying harder. But reading all those productivity books and listening to all those work-related podcasts only leaves us more aware of our deficiencies. Now we’re even worse off than before, crippled by anxiety.
If any of those feelings resonate with you, you’re in good company. In our hustle-harder, do-more culture, work anxiety is an increasingly common struggle. But that doesn’t mean we’re left stranded in the stormy seas of stress. There is bedrock truth to anchor us and practical wisdom to help us.
Anchoring Truth
Work is good. But because of the curse, it’s difficult. Even those working their “dream jobs” can’t avoid the sting of thorns and thistles. Often, our labor feels futile and our efforts are frustrated. And though this seems like a rather discouraging truth to remember, it’s actually helpful. It keeps us from chasing after a pipe dream and being shaken when it doesn’t materialize. It reminds us that work will bear the effects of the curse until Christ returns to make all things new—and the certainty of that promise helps us persevere with hope.
In our hustle-harder, do-more culture, work anxiety is an increasingly common struggle. But that doesn’t mean we’re left stranded in the stormy seas of stress. There is bedrock truth to anchor us.
Furthermore, only God accomplishes everything he sets out to do. He’s the only one with the wisdom and power to complete his work according to his plan and in his intended timing. As creatures, we just don’t have that power. We need to crucify the pride that makes us strive to be what we’re not—namely, limitless beings—and embrace our limitations. We’ll make mistakes in our jobs. We won’t know what to do. We’ll get tired. We’ll get sick. Our sinful tendencies toward pride and self-sufficiency will trip us up. And though we can grow in wisdom and knowledge and skill, we’ll never attain it all. Growth only happens in the confines of our creatureliness.
Our inadequacies can frustrate us, but they can be the very things that evoke worship of God. If you’re confused, praise God that he’s not. If you’re tired, praise God that he never slumbers nor sleeps. If you’ve made a mistake, praise God that he always accomplishes his will.
Finally, remember your identity isn’t in your job, productivity, accomplishments, or success. Work is part of what you were created to do, but it’s not who you are. We are image-bearers of God, created to know and love him. Placing our identity in anything other than Christ makes our security incredibly fragile. Anything in life can change in an instant and shake what we thought was unshakable. Only Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. If you’re united to him as a glorious member of his body, your identity is sure.
Practical Wisdom
There are certain habits and practices that help mitigate work-related anxiety. Here are two expressly biblical practices we’re called to as Christians as well as two nuggets of wisdom I’ve learned from others.
1. Have a regular pattern of rest.
If pressure at work is overwhelming you, you’ll be tempted to avoid this practice. Yet because God calls us to rest and designed us for rest, we must rest. Resting when there’s a mile-long to-do list is an expression of trusting God. It will help orient your heart to the things of God and keep work in its proper place.
2. Depend on God in prayer.
So much of our anxiety is perpetuated by our bent toward self-sufficiency. We wholly depend on God for everything, and practicing prayer throughout our workday reminds us of our dependence on him. It helps to have specific times that prompt your prayers: When you first get in the car. At noon. Before a meeting. When you review a project. Our prayers don’t need to be long and eloquent. A simple “God, I need wisdom right now. Please direct me and help me honor you in this work” serves to reorient your heart.
3. Routinely “brain dump.”
If you’re anything like me, the same tasks, pressures, and fears keep cycling in your mind over and over. Getting them all out on paper or verbally processing them with someone interrupts that cycle. It will help you gain perspective and organize your concerns.
4. Try a block schedule.
I have Cal Newport and his excellent book Deep Work to thank for this one. Multitasking usually ends up backfiring. If your attention is constantly bouncing between different projects, emails, and conversations, your work will suffer. It takes time to get focused, so we just keep restarting the process if we’re constantly redirecting our attention.
Work is part of what you were created to do, but it’s not who you are.
A “block schedule” dedicates specific time slots for specific tasks. When you’re in that time slot, you do everything in your power to stay focused on that task. For instance, if I’ve given myself a two-hour slot to work on a manuscript, I need to resist my urge to check or respond to emails during that time, because it will interrupt my work flow.
Depending on your job, it might be helpful to assign certain days for certain projects. Then, if you start panicking about something you need to do, you remind yourself, “That’s not my problem right now. I’ve already decided to work on that tomorrow. Today, I’m focusing on a different project.” (I’m practicing this right now—I have a school paper hanging over my head, and it’s freeing to remember that today is not my day to work on that!)
Finally, remember your God loves you. He wants to help you. He wants to bear your burdens. You can cast your anxieties upon him because he cares for you (1 Pet. 5:7).
The Gospel Coalition