New year, new challenges. Should we be appalled at the thorns or appreciate the roses?
For the work at SEO Hacker, 2022 is starting out as a carry-over from the heavy year-end of 2021. We were able to close a lot of new clients and so we have a ton of work that we need to finish and maintain. SEO is a long-term, continuous type of project after all.
The thing is, we weren’t able to hire as much people as we were hoping to last year. I’m not sure what happened to the job market and to people who are looking for work (and yes we are hiring people who want to work from home) in the digital marketing industry as we really struggled to find good, qualified people who are both competent and who fit our culture well.
That said, we admittedly do have a very long and very thorough hiring process as we want to make SEO Hacker a fantastic place to work in for all of us.
I remember the story of King Saul in 1 Samuel in the Bible. He was faced with the Philistines whose people numbered “like the sand which is on the seashore in abundance”. (see 1 Samuel 13:5) And King Saul only had 600 men.
Now he used to have 3,000 men just a bit over 7 days ago but fear chewed his men slowly and a lot of them who lack the courage crept off to hiding. They did not want to face the battle ahead in fear of losing their lives. After all, it does seem like winning is impossible against such a numerous and powerful foe.
No Show
The reason why Saul waited 7 days was because the prophet Samuel asked him to wait. Samuel told Saul that he was going to come to offer sacrifices to God in the place where Saul was. 7 days have passed and Samuel did not come.
Saul, in stress, anxiety and fear most probably – did something that only a priest or prophet can do – perform God’s burnt and peace offerings.
But Samuel said, “What have you done?” And Saul said, “Because I saw that the people were scattering from me, and that you did not come within the appointed days, and that the Philistines were assembling at Michmash, therefore I said, ‘Now the Philistines will come down against me at Gilgal, and I have not asked the favor of the Lord.’ So I forced myself and offered the burnt offering.” – 1 Samuel 13:11-12
Instead of trusting God, Saul did what any godless leader would do. He took it upon himself to desperately try to win. This is why we have the saying ‘Desperate measures in desperate times’. But this should not be so for those who loves God and follows God completely.
“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” – 1 Peter 5:7
If we trust God and put our faith in Him and we know that He loves us and cares for us, why should we fear? Why should we be anxious? Why should we be stressed?
The Stress-Proof Life
I wouldn’t say ‘stress-free’ as problems do often come unexpected in life. But we can be stress-proof if we choose to trust in God during those times instead of relying in ourselves.
I believe that God is reminding me of this as I finished reading through this story during my quiet time today.
We all have problems, challenges, and moments when we feel overwhelmed and that winning is impossible.
I will choose to trust in the Lord and put my faith in Him. He will deliver me.
And He can deliver you too.
