The following was taken from Culture Shock: Dealing with Stress in Cross-Cultural Living by Myron Loss and thought it would be good to share.
- Set reasonable goals. Ps. 127:2
- Don’t take your job description too seriously – be people-oriented not task-oriented.
- Be committed to joy. Gal. 5:22 (Each day is a unique opportunity)
- Maintain good emotional health.
- Remember that you are human.
- Physical – exercise, diet
- Emotional – dependent on others
- Intellectual – variety of books
- Spiritual – love of God, study His characteristics (Lam. 3:21-26, 31-33)
- Don’t be afraid to be a little bit eccentric, comes with strength of character.
- Be flexible-say sorry if needed.
- Don’t take yourself too seriously-have a sense of humor, enjoy life.
- Reduce your stress where possible. Mt 6:34, learn to say no.
- Make your culture change gradual.
- Take a bit of home with you.
- Make yourself at home.
- Keep personal customs/traditions.
- Forgive yourself: forgive others. 1 Cor. 13:5
- Establish some close friendships with people from the host culture.
- Be thankful. 1 Thess. 5:18, Gal. 5:22-23
- Be an encourager.
- Take courage; someone understands – Christ went 33 years without a furlough.
Here to Serve,
Jeff Bush
Director of Vision Baptist Missions