CAN YOU BE THANKFUL FOR A JOB YOU HATE?

How well do you sleep on Sunday nights? Do you dread Monday morning…or whatever day may be your Monday?

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Is it Monday or Mournday to you?

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Yes you know that the bible tells us that we must do our jobs as if we are doing them for God Himself…

Colossians 3:23-24 (NKJV)

²³ And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, ²⁴ knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ. 

We all know that the bible tells us to be content no matter what our situation…

Philippians 4:11 (NKJV)

¹¹ Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content:

There is only one problem though…

You hate your job!!!!

Yes you prayed for it…(Maybe, sometimes we take jobs without consulting God first)

Yes you were excited when you got it…

Yes you gave God praise for it…

But, you HATE going there now!

You didn’t know that the culture would be toxic…

You didn’t know that the boss would not like you…

You didn’t know the people would be so difficult…

You didn’t know they would have you doing stuff that’s ‘not in your job description’…

You didn’t know!!!!

BUT, for whatever reason, (and you know YOUR reason)…YOU HATE YOUR JOB.

However, you’re still thankful for your job…

You know that it’s God that gives us the power, ability…the sound mind to work to sustain our lives…

Deuteronomy 8:18 (NKJV)

 ¹⁸ “And you shall remember the Lord your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth, that He may establish His covenant which He swore to your fathers, as it is this day.

You know in your heart that you’re thankful for your job, but you have cognitive dissonance…you have this internal conflict because you feel guilty that you hate it.

God knew that we would have to do things we don’t like, or even hate.

The inspired word of God was given to us through a culture in which indentured servitude (servants) was common. Many question slavery in the bible…for a good explanation on that topic check out my article “Let’s Talk About Slavery in the Bible”.

Think about this, God gave us the instruction to ‘work as if unto Him’ in the context of instruction for servants Colossians 3:22-25.

God knows that few people would enjoy being a servant, but still He said do it while maintaining His character and integrity.

Think of some of the ‘job assignments’ given to prophets in the Old Testament…do you think they loved and enjoyed every assignment?

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Also think about this, during Jesus’ earthly ministry He said He was doing the works given to Him by the Father…

John 9:4 (NKJV)

⁴ I must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work.

When Jesus was on earth in the flesh…He was WORKING. He was doing His job. Think about how many times that He seemed frustrated at work and with His co-workers…

Mark 9:19 (NKJV)

 ¹⁹ He answered him and said, “O faithless generation, how long shall I be with you? HOW LONG SHALL I BEAR WITH YOU? Bring him to Me.

 Luke 11:29New King James Version (NKJV)

 ²⁹ And while the crowds were thickly gathered together, He began to say, “THIS IS AN EVIL GENERATION”. It seeks a sign, and no sign will be given to it except the sign of Jonah the prophet.

John 12:27 (NKJV)

 ²⁷ “Now My soul is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save Me from this hour’? But for this purpose I came to this hour.

It is clear that Jesus had some tough ‘work days’. It was clear there were aspects of His ‘job’ and ‘coworkers’ that He didn’t like.

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God made us and He knows us. He knows we aren’t perfect, and when He does tell us to be perfect in the bible it means to be mature…not faultless.

One aspect of a mature Christian is the ability to be able to be thankful in the midst of uncomfortable situations.

God knows that conditions change on our jobs that make them more uncomfortable. The important thing to remember is that if you trust God, and if He is sovereign in your life that He is even in control of your work situation.

Don’t let the desire to be released from a job that you hate prevent you from being thankful for a means to provide for yourself and, or your family.

Don’t let it give you a contagious complaining spirit, which God hates (1 Corinthians 10:10).

Acknowledge that if God still has you there, then if must be for a reason. You’re still His representative on your job setting the standard of behavior in both good and bad circumstances. There is still someone there He’s assigned you to influence and bless.

Pray for discernment for God to let you know when you’ve stayed there too long. Do you like the money? Have you gotten comfortable? Are you compromising your standards to succeed?

Sometimes if things aren’t going right no matter how hard you try…if it’s a struggle in a place you used to thrive…

Maybe it’s God’s way of allowing things to ‘DRY UP’…trying to convince you to have the faith to move on to your next assignment…

Read 1 Kings Chapter 17 about how God sustained Elijah during a drought in the land by the Brook of Cherith and God had the ravens feed him. Eventually the brook dried up because God wanted Elijah to move on to the widow in Zarephath.

Sometimes God allows things to get difficult to get us to move on.

Be sensitive to the Spirit of God in your work life. Pray for discernment so you can be led by Him.

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So……..let me encourage you that YES it’s possible to still be THANKFUL for your job and HATE IT TOO…that’s a sign of spiritual maturity.

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If you hate your job, take a moment to thank God for it, and while you’re still there, make a commitment to do it well, as if for the Lord Himself.

BE BLESSTIFIED!