As hard as we all work to push the ball forward it only gets that much harder to close a “deal”. The definition of a deal to me is any conclusion of a negotiation or conclusion of a project, or a sale, or a presentation, etc. that takes all we have from us and when we are concluded it feels like we just fall over the finish line. It’s not a particularly desirable position to be in, but it is a part of work that we all experience at some point or another. What is also lost in that period is a sense of perspective. The deal becomes all important and all-consuming to the point that our nerves are on end and we find ourselves unhappy with ourselves and others. The boiling point can also take us to a place where we begin to take out our frustrations and anxiety on others. I speak to many people who in this time of job insecurity and worry about the future feel the need to successfully complete each of their “deals” that they become someone who they don’t like when they look into the mirror. It is understandable when we think through the stress and pressures that we all have on our plates in this difficult time. God gives us reassurances though that can’t be ignored! In Psalm 4:7 David writes of the substance of joy; “You have given me greater joy than those who have abundant harvest of grain and wine”. David was saying that God can give more joy and fulfillment than any deal that could ever be made. As we are faced with the challenges of our work and the expectations of being able to bring the deal home, let us not confuse the satisfaction of working well with true joy and fulfillment. When the deal doesn’t close and it becomes “no deal”, then let us fall back on the promise of God that He will bring so much more joy than we could ever imagine on our own.

Reference: Psalm 4:7 (New Living Testament)