Before the Covid-19 pandemic there were many discussions about the so-called work-life balance and working from home (WFH) arrangements. Basically, many people wanted more time away from work so that they have more time for themselves to have a better physical, emotional and even spiritual health. Well, the pandemic hits and many people got their wish to have more time for themselves and WFH. The inevitable happened, instead of better whatever health, they were worse off. More family violence, greater anxiety, loss of direction, etc. Nobody talks about work-life balance or WFH arrangements anymore. The talk now is about intervention in psychological disorders caused by WFH and lack of boundaries.

What do a lot of people do when they have more time on their hands? Sadly, many just waste them on frivolous past times – gaming, messaging, social media contents…. And the lure of such tempting contents will cause one to demand more time, but now they demand it from those around them as workplace requirements are taken away. When there is a failure to make use of the time wanted and now given, dissatisfaction sets in. Temper flares easily, relationship breaks down, violence increases, divorces increased. Also, there is now no barrier in others demanding time from you as they are free and felt that you have plenty of time too. Be careful what you wish for and be ready to deal with it when given.

To many who wisely use the freedom and abundance of time, they benefitted. They were able to achieve better health, more time to exercise. They enhance their relationships, wisely choosing to communicate in meaningful ways. Their spiritual lives become stronger as they put in more time to know God better – reading the bible and praying more.

My friends, water can transport a boat and it can capsize a boat. Ask for wisdom from God and wish carefully. When you do get them, use them wisely. Do not waste the precious resources that God had given you.

God bless,
In Christ’s service,

Barry Leong

在新冠疫情大流行病之前，有很多关于所谓的工作与生活平衡和居家工作（WFH）安排的讨论。基本上，许多人希望有更多的时间暂离工作，这样他们就有更多的时间留给自己，以便获得更好的身体、情感甚至灵性健康。好了，大流行病袭来，许多人实现了他们的愿望，有更多的时间为自己和居家工作。但不可避免的事情发生了，他们的健康状况不但没有好转，反而更糟！更多的家庭暴力，更大的焦虑，失去方向感等等。现在没有人再谈论工作与生活的平衡，也没有人再谈论居家工作的安排。现在谈论的是干预由居家工作和缺乏界限所引起的心理障碍。

当很多人有更多的时间时，他们会做什么呢？可悲的是，许多人只是把时间浪费在轻浮的打发时间上–玩游戏、短信、社交媒体内容..…而这种吸引人的内容的诱惑会使人要求花更多的时间，但现在他们要求的是周遭的人，因为工作场地的要求被剥夺了。当未能利用想要的和现在给予的时间时，不满情绪就会出现。脾气容易爆发，关系破裂，暴力增加，离婚剧增。另外，现在别人向你要求时间的时候也没有障碍了，因为他们有闲暇时间，也觉得你有很多时间。留心你的愿望，并准备好在实现时处理它。

对许多明智地利用自由和充裕时间的人来说，他们受益匪浅。他们能够达到更好的健康状态，有更多的时间进行锻炼。他们懂得增进关系，明智地选择有意义的沟通方式。他们的属灵生活变得更加丰富，因为他们投入了更多的时间来更好地认识上帝–更多地阅读圣经和祈祷。

朋友们，水能载舟，亦能覆舟。向上帝寻求智慧，并谨慎地许愿。当你得到它们时，要明智地使用它们，不要徒徒浪费上帝给予你的宝贵资源。

上帝赐福，
在主里同工的

Barry Leong