Monday, March 9, 2015

ACE #350: So You Say Your Job Sucks, Huh?

Over the past few weeks, I have listened to many people complain about their job situations.  The reality is that many jobs are few and far between, so switching jobs is not always an option.  People are staying on jobs that they completely and utterly hate.  They are miserable getting up in the morning, but must still go to work to maintain their households.  Many people lose sleep over being in a miserable job.  Either it is the people at the job, including the boss, or it is the job itself.  What is it about being in spiritual warfare in the workplace?

Let’s examine why we work and why our workplaces can be so troubling.

Why do we work?
  • It’s part of our career
  • It’s a job
  • To pass time
  • To pay the bills
  • It’s my vocation, or my calling
  • It’s what I have to do
  • It’s what I have been taught 


What and who do you find in the workplace?

  • Different attitudes, personalities, habits, desires, experiences, expectations
  • Different ethnic backgrounds, gender, sexual orientations, upbringings, social graces, traditions, work ethic
  • Religious beliefs - Christians and non-Christians


 What is toxic in the work environment?
  • Gossip
  • Complaining and grumbling
  • Theft
  • Pride
  • Envy/jealousy
  • Anger
  • Offense/defense
  • Greed
  • Lust
  • Wrath/malice
  • Insecurities
  • Competition 
  • Haters
We can find a little bit of everything on the job, and not all, if any, good it seems.
If you are struggling on the job for whatever reason – if your job sucks - I would encourage you to adopt the Joseph Business Model.

Joseph’s story is found in Genesis, beginning in the 30th chapter.  He was the first son born to Jacob and Rachel.  Rachel had been barren for many years, while her sister, Leah had been abundantly fertile.  Since they were married to the same man, it appeared that Rachel’s womb was cursed, while Leah’s was blessed.  Rachel felt despised just as Joseph was despised by his brothers because he was his father’s favorite, which eventually led them to sell him into slavery.  Joseph was sold twice and ended up in the home of Potiphar, an officer of Pharoah and captain of the palace guard.

Joseph was promoted to Potiphar’s personal attendant because he was trusted, faithful, obedient, intelligent, possessed integrity, and had a strong work ethic. Potiphar put Joseph in charge of his household and everything he owned.  Under Joseph’s care, the household was blessed, for God was always with Joseph.  The Bible says that Joseph was well built and handsome and after some time, Potiphar’s wife took notice of him.  But Joseph remained loyal to Potiphar.

After a false accusation of rape by Potiphar’s wife, Joseph ended up in prison.  He then became the warden’s right hand while still a prisoner.  He interpreted dreams for the cupbearer and the baker.  This is when Joseph’s spiritual gift of interpreting dreams really becomes useful.  He interprets a dream for Pharaoh, just as he had done with the two prisoners – with two very different outcomes.  Keep in mind that Joseph’s brothers also despised him because he had a spiritual gift that they could not understand.

After two years of sitting in a prison, Joseph becomes Pharoah’s chief administrator, or the 2nd highest official in their government.  By then Joseph is 30-years-old.  About thirteen years had passed since he had been sold into slavery.

When a seven-year famine hits Egypt, Joseph ultimately saves his family, including his deceitful brothers, from starving to death.  Joseph eventually recognizes that God sent him to Egypt - and not his brothers who had sold him.  He states:

Genesis 45:5-9
And now, do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you. For two years now there has been famine in the land, and for the next five years there will be no plowing and reaping. But God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance.[a]
“So then, it was not you who sent me here, but God. He made me father to Pharaoh, lord of his entire household and ruler of all Egypt. Now hurry back to my father and say to him, ‘This is what your son Joseph says: God has made me lord of all Egypt. Come down to me; don’t delay.
We could learn a lot from Joseph.  Regardless of our work situations, we are called to diligence, to be trustworthy, to be loyalty, to function in a spirit of integrity, and to respect and honor God and others while on the job.  God stayed with Joseph no matter what his work status was – from lowly slave to ruler of all Egypt.


Josephs’ formula was:
Faithfulness + integrity + work ethic = increase

Be mindful that when we do good work, someone will remember us.  Our work ethic will be the measure of how people see our character.  Joseph could have given up at any time, but he remained steadfast in his character and did so while laboring.  He also realized that his entire struggle really wasn’t about him at all...it was about what he was supposed to do for others.   

Trust and believe that most often your worst place of employment is your conduit to GREATER! Endure the struggle, it's taking you somewhere.



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