After many requests and feedback, we are excited to continue the Work Inspired series we began in Elul with Rabbi Yehoshua Gerzi and R’ Tzvi Broker.
We’ve seen in our earlier articles that Hashem wants us to experience our work with simcha, to find fulfillment in what we are doing, and to use our work as a pathway to dveykus with Him.
To be honest, this idea can seem impractical. Work is strongly associated with stress. Deadlines, expectations, financial pressures, and performance pressures can put us into survival mode rather than allowing us to experience the simcha and fulfillment we’ve been talking about.
But this is exactly where Bitachon comes in.
Work isn’t necessarily the problem. We need to develop an inner space of Menuchas HaNefesh that allows us to access what is already there.
Many people want to grow in Bitachon, but don’t see changes in the real-time moments when they need it most. The first step in cultivating practical Bitachon is recognizing that Bitachon isn’t simply a set of ideas we know or inspiring concepts we think about. Bitachon is an experience.
The Chovos HaLevavos describes Bitachon as the experience of Menuchas HaNefesh. This means that in any moment, we can check in and see where our Bitachon actually is by looking at three layers of our Nefesh:
- Physical — What am I feeling in my body? Do I feel calm or tense?
- Emotional — What emotions are present? Joy? Fear? Worry?
- Fleeting Thoughts — What kind of thoughts are running through my mind?
We may intellectually know that Hashem is in charge and that He has us covered. But if our Nefesh isn’t experiencing that safety, we are missing the Menuchas HaNefesh of Bitachon.
Growing in Bitachon means learning to experientially feel safe with Hashem. And once we are honest about where our Bitachon is at any given moment, we can begin to identify how to authentically build it.
Continued next week
Check Your Bitachon
The next time you experience a stressful moment at work, pause and notice:
- What am I feeling physically?
- What emotions are present?
- What thoughts are running through my mind?
- Do I feel safe with Hashem right now?
This article was found in Nekuda Tova Issue 103.
