An Unpleasant Environment? Overcome It with These 4 Ways

No matter how comfortable the place where we live or work may be, we have all experienced disturbances. Starting from minor things like a neighbor's noisy motorcycle exhaust, neighbors who like to play loud music, dirty drains, an annoying coworker, to serious dangers such as a residential area that is prone to theft or motorcycle theft.

Ongoing disturbances in our environment will trigger stress, and in the long run, can affect our personal lives and performance, whether in study or work. So, what should we do in responding to an unpleasant environment?

First Step: Look for a Solution as Best You Can

Whatever form the disturbance takes, we need to look for a solution and resolve it. For example, I once lived in a boarding house where the electricity often went out. This was not a blackout from PLN, but the result of insufficient electrical capacity. If someone ironed clothes, used the dispenser, and turned on the water pump at the same time, the power would definitely go out. However, the owner of the boarding house did not want to increase the capacity. 

As someone who often worked with a computer, I truly felt disturbed. The solution? I bought a UPS device (Uninterruptible Power Supply) so that my computer would not be damaged by unstable power. Then, I saved up for several months to buy a laptop. The power outages still happened, but they were no longer an obstacle for me.

So, what if your problem is more complicated and cannot be handled as easily as the example above? Here are some tips to overcome it:

1. Stop Complaining, Calm Yourself, and Focus on the Solution

The end of all things is near. Therefore, be self-controlled and calm, so that you can pray. – 1 Peter 4:7

Because our rented house had no fence, people could easily enter the porch. Several times, when my wife and I came home from work or shopping, we found neighborhood children hanging out on the long bench on the porch. They liked to talk loudly and litter carelessly.

When they saw us, the residents of the house, coming home, instead of feeling awkward and leaving, those children kept playing there. Once I got angry and chased them away. However, the next day they came back again, as if deliberately challenging me and looking for trouble.

Seeing that I was ready to “explode,” my wife gently advised me to calm myself. “If you get angry, they will be happy. Because that is what they want.”

I listened to my wife's words. After calming myself and praying, I found a solution. I removed the long bench from the porch and went to inform the local neighborhood administrator. After that, those children never played on our porch again. 

Through this incident, I learned that grumbling, complaining, or harboring anger will not solve the problem, but will instead add to the problem. When you are upset because of disturbances in your living environment, calm yourself  first. With a calm mind, you can focus on finding a solution to overcome it.

2. Do Not Become a Source of Disturbance to Others

Each one should test their own work; then they can take pride in themselves alone, and not in someone else. – Galatians 6:4

An acquaintance of mine loved gossip and liked to be the center of attention. Without any sense of guilt, this person spoke in great detail about someone else's faults. One time, this person confided to me that they often ran into trouble. Many people rejected them, and they were glad when they heard that this person had fallen on hard times.

That person did not realize that their attitude had disturbed others. I advised them not to trouble other people and to live rightly according to God's Word. However, they still refused to examine themselves. As a result, problems kept coming one after another, and people were reluctant to help them.

Often, without realizing it, certain disturbances arise because of our own actions. Perhaps our harsh words hurt someone's feelings, so they hurt us back. Or we neglect to pay a debt, and then the lender keeps collecting and disturbing us. Perhaps we interfere in someone else's household by speaking badly about their child or spouse, even though that is none of our business. 

At times, the root of the disturbance can be found by examining ourselves. If the disturbance is the result of our own actions, correct yourself immediately. If you like to criticize others, stop! Learn to respect others. For those of you who like to boast, stop doing it! In general, people will not bother you if you do not first meddle in their lives.

3. If You No Longer Feel Comfortable, Move

Then Abimelech said to Isaac, “Go away from us, for you have become much more powerful than we are.” So Isaac left there, camped in the Valley of Gerar, and settled there. – Genesis 26:16-17

Based on the story of Isaac's life in the land of the Philistines (Genesis 26:1-33), we know that he never disturbed them. As a farmer and herdsman accompanied by God, his work always prospered so that Isaac became very rich, and this stirred up jealousy in many people (verses 12-13). Seeing Isaac prosper and become far more powerful than the local inhabitants, Abimelech, king of the Philistines, finally drove him away.

After Isaac moved, the disturbances in his life did not stop immediately. When the wells dug by his servants at Esek and Sitnah produced abundant water, they quarreled with the local shepherds who felt those wells were not his right. Once again, Isaac had to move and dig a third well, which was later named Rehoboth. This story ends well because Abimelech then came to Isaac, acknowledged that the Lord was with him, and made a covenant of peace.

If moving is the best solution to overcome the disturbance, then do it. Do not force yourself to stay if you are continually plagued by problems. Wherever you are, believe this: as long as you live in the fear of God, He will surely always be with you.

4. Be a Light to Your Environment

They stayed with that church for a whole year, teaching many people. It was in Antioch that the disciples were first called Christians. – Acts 11:26

Antioch was one of the places where the gospel was preached. Some men from Cyprus and Cyrene became the first evangelists in that city (Acts 11:20), and the church in Antioch was formed. This good news reached Jerusalem, and Barnabas, who was sent there, brought Saul with him. The two of them then taught the people of Antioch the truth of God's Word.

Why were many people of Antioch willing to receive the teaching of Saul and Barnabas? Besides because the hand of God was with them, we may be sure that their way of life became a light to others (Acts 11:24). They did not merely speak; both of them did what was right in God's sight, so that the people who associated with them could see the truth of God.

As followers of Christ, our lives must become an influence on those who do not yet believe. It is not by chance that God places you and me near people whose lives are chaotic or whose households are troubled. We are the ones who must become a positive influence on them, rather than being influenced by the negative things in our environment.

When God allows us to experience disturbances, whether in the workplace, social circles, or where we live, He surely provides a solution. Staying calm and focusing on the solution, examining ourselves, moving to another environment, and being a light to others are some solutions we can practice. Do not forget, whatever problem you are facing, keep depending completely on God. Hope this helps! 

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Church GKDI currently is in 35 cities. We have Bible study activities in every area; if you need information or would like to get involved, contact us at contact Church GKDI Official:
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