Being an employee - Friday Praise & Pray (for others) October 28, 2022

Let's be honest, most of us don't like our employers. Our opinion of our bosses is even worse in most cases. We think very poorly of them because they think we're machines without feelings.

And as a result, we give them the quality of work we believe they deserve for the quality of treatment they give us. I mean think about it. People barely get pensions anymore and the prospect of retirement means working at Walmart or elsewhere for many.

Thus, there are several logical reasons why so many are quiet quitting - doing the bare minimum for a paycheck. Or, hustling employers by working multiple jobs at the same time when they were hired with the expectation that they'd dedicate their work hours to one company only.

As believers we have to ask ourselves a simple question - what does God expect from us at our workplace?

Ephesians 6 makes it clear that we are to do our job as if we were working for Christ himself. We are to treat our jobs as if we were hired by the Savior and give it our best. We are to do so knowing that "the Lord will reward each one for whatever good he does..." (Ephesians 6:8).

Our emotions are irrelevant. Meaning, even if our human bosses and employers are the worst, the Lord still expects us to work for them as if we are employed by Him. If you are scratching your head wondering how such is possible, that's understandable. How can you give your best to someone/something you can barely tolerate in some cases? The answer lies in focusing on the fact that you serve a God who tells you to thank Him under all circumstances, whether good or bad. He calls on us to give before we receive. The point is, God's ways are not our ways (Isaiah 55:8). He tends to do things in a manner that's confusing to us mere mortals, but we still have to obey Him. Therefore, ask God for help and change your behavior for the better.

God's instructions seem impossible because we've been conditioned to put our needs and desires first. If, however, we put God's desires first then we'll realize that no matter how horrible our employers, bosses or others are, we must be and give our best. Thank God, we can do so while searching for a position elsewhere if need be. And if that's God's will, He will move you.

Will this be easy? Sadly no. Yet, it is in our weakness that God's power is revealed mightily. I've shared my testimony of how the Lord helped me when I once dealt with a disrespectful coworker. It was hard to not express myself as I would have in my Before Christ Days. I opted to take my grievance to God and in less than 48 hours, the coworker was gone.

Doing things God's way can be a challenge but if we trust Him and sincerely call Him into the matter, He will always rise to the occasion. He will do this for you in your work environment, bringing you favor before your higher ups and peers. That you may obey His instructions and work at your earthly job as if unto the Lord, IJMN Amen.