{"id":861,"date":"2023-01-17T21:19:47","date_gmt":"2023-01-17T21:19:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/chministries.org\/?p=861"},"modified":"2023-09-20T16:01:06","modified_gmt":"2023-09-20T16:01:06","slug":"importance-of-work-life-balance","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/chministries.org\/blog\/importance-of-work-life-balance\/","title":{"rendered":"Why is work-life balance important?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Learning how to balance work and life isn\u2019t easy. You may manage a business, work from home, or commute. Your entrepreneurial spirit may motivate you to start a new venture. Whatever the goals, it\u2019s essential for Christians to \u201cget\u201d the importance of work-life balance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Definitions of work-life balance<\/a> change as your life changes. When you\u2019re out of work, you work hard to get back in the game. When business thrives, you adjust to new demands. When you\u2019re short-staffed or a crisis comes along, you meet pressing needs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you have a growing family<\/a>, you\u2019ll have expected and unexpected responsibilities to manage. Mompreneurs <\/a>and other women entrepreneurs<\/a> face special challenges and opportunities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Achieving Christ-centered work-life balance requires faith, flexibility, and frequent reality checks. There are only so many hours, days, and years in your life. What really matters to you? Do your goals and schedules reflect that? If roles conflict, you can\u2019t care for yourself or those around you. It can drain your energy, rob your peace of mind, steal your joy, and crowd out more godly goals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Your work-life balance matters to God<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

“Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”
[Matthew 6:33, ESV<\/a>]<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How can you achieve, maintain, or improve work-life balance ? God understands that we\u2019re only human. He blesses our efforts while warning slackers. There are over 35 Biblical references to sluggards \u2013 the habitually idle or lazy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Paul warns, “If anyone is unwilling to work, let him not eat (2 Thessalonians 3:10, NKJV<\/a>).” God sets a high bar. Still, Christ also reminds His disciples to step aside and rest awhile when crowds press in, and there\u2019s literally no time to eat (Mark 6:31, NKJV<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

God wants us to work diligently, while also taking time to enjoy the fruits of our labor. He calls us to worship and rest on Sundays (Geneses 2:2-3, ESV). Work matters, but relaxation and relationships matter, too (Matthew 22:36-40, NIV<\/a>). Whatever life brings, Christ assures us we can always turn to Him:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Come to Me all you who are weary, and I will give you rest.”
[Matthew 11:28, NIV<\/a>]<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The high costs of work-related stress<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

U.S. Department of Labor studies confirm that demanding schedules and work expectations add to worker fatigue and other serious problems. Top stressors include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n