WORKLIFE LESSON: FRUSTRATIONS
ON THE JOB
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What a relief that God sees everything! – including the frustrations.
He already knows our work situations. On the other hand,
though, He also knows how we’re thinking. So in
dealing with frustrations, it’s important to ensure
we aren’t grumbling for the sake of grumbling.
“Man looks on the outward appearance, but
the Lord looks on the heart.” (I Samuel 16:7).
Frustrating work-related issues may be outside our
power to influence, unless a more satisfactory job comes
along and God is happy that we take it. They may provoke
us to blame persons or organizations. They may tempt
us into discouragement or a ‘so what’ attitude.
A better alternative is to ask the Lord to check our
motives and thoughts. He already knows them, so He won’t
be surprised if something isn’t right. Let Him
help you deal with anything that needs attention. If
the workplace problem is still there afterwards, face
it as a reality and remember that Jesus dealt with realities
including physical and emotional tiredness, living with
only the bare necessities, powerful opponents, and unjust
arrest and conviction. He has experience. Ask him to
direct you.
Lining up our hearts with the Lord is a spiritual reality
check. Then, it becomes easier to:
See things to give thanks for (coffee break / pleasant
coworker / humor / etc.);
Show competency and reliability (people notice, whether
they show it or not);
Pray silently, keeping close to the Presence of God.
Done with a good heart, these practices ease the day’s
frustrations. Practice them, learn them, do the spiritual
reality check, keep doing them until they are normal
to you.
Here’s a different spin. Perhaps you are in a
position to help improve the conditions of other people
who are affected by these kinds of situations. Pray
about how to use your influence for good.
A WORK PRAYER
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Lord, I don’t know how long these frustrations
may go on. But I know You spent three sweaty, dusty
years walking all around Israel, and amazing good came
from it. Thank You that I can bring these issues to
You [name them]. Help me to develop a healthy work spirituality
that becomes a normal everyday habit. Amen. |
