I Hate My Job!

I received this article in an email the other day from my friend, Doug Spada, president of WorkLife, an incredible organization which helps the local church to connect the dots when it comes to faith in the workplace. If you have ever hated your job, this is for you:

The American Workplace Survey, conducted by Harris Interactive this month found that almost half (48%) of workers are not satisfied with the relationship they have with their boss, and the majority (59%) of workers are not satisfied with the level of support they receive from their colleagues. Seventy-seven percent are not satisfied with the strategy and vision of the company and its leadership. Click here for full article.

Even in these challenging time where having a job is a blessing, a recent survey of a major municipality's employees reflected that more than 60% were unhappy in their work. One employee was quoted, "I feel miserable. My morale is lower than it's ever been. It has been difficult to even come to work." Click for survey results. (2009 Employee Morale Survey - Baltimore Dept of Public Works)

I am quite certain that some of you have a job you really hate. If you could, you would quit tomorrow but you feel like you're in a prison because you need this job, you've got time invested in it, you're not sure you could find another one, but you hate your job. If you're having those kinds of problems, I strongly urge you to read on because the Bible has some good ideas for you.

As I travel around the country talking to people, it seems to me that more people are discontent with their jobs than ever before. Undoubtedly the economic climate has a lot to do with that, since jobs are difficult to find and many feel trapped in their jobs. Also, workloads seem to be much higher, and the loyalty between employees and employers seems much lower. So, if you find yourself in a job you really don't like, you've got company.

I can understand your feelings, because I've had a job or two like that myself. But the Apostle Paul wrote to the Philippians:...I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation....I can do everything through him who gives me strength (Phil. 4:11-13).

So, I want to talk about how to be content in a job you hate. You know, when you and I learn this secret of being content, as Paul learned it, we can't lose because our fulfillment and satisfaction are not based on circumstances - not based on whether we have a terrific job that we love, or one that we hate!

Keep in mind that Paul had to learn this technique of being content, and so do you and I. So, are you willing to enroll in Contentment 101, and learn how to be content in your job? That's where it begins. If you're not willing to learn to be content, of course, you never will learn it.

If you insist on saying, "I hate this job, I refuse to change my attitude toward this job, I could never be content with this job and furthermore I don't want to be content with it," then you've already prevented God from changing you and giving you a new heart and a new attitude.

First of all, you have to give up your rights. Most of us think things like, "I don't deserve this job," or "I deserve to have a fulfilling job," or "It's not right that I have to work at a job that doesn't utilize my talents," or "I can't be expected to endure the kind of treatment I get on my job." That's just our normal selfish nature, which has been fed and fired up by our humanistic society, teaching us "We have our rights."

Dear friend, if you want to be a contented person, you must first of all tell God that you recognize you have no rights to all that you think you have a right to. If you're a child of God, you belong to Him and He is the Master. Are you willing to give up your "rights" to have the job you want, and to allow yourself to be contented where you are? That is step one in being content in a job you hate.

Maybe you're thinking, "Well, why would God punish me with a job like this?" Let me assure you that God is not trying to make your life miserable. Just the opposite - He has plans for you that are good. But He can't work those plans for you until you surrender your rights to Him. Most of the time God does not deliver us from difficult situations until we have learned to be content and to accept them. That is how we learn to trust God and have faith in Him, and without faith it's impossible to please God.

So, step one in being content in a job you hate is to give up your rights for the perfect job and tell God you are willing to stay there and give Him control.

Your True Boss

You thought you had a tough job. It’s all a matter of perspective (see picture above).

One of my favorite stores in the Toledo area is Monette’s Market. They have great lunch meat and terrific fruits and vegetables. And most of the time they offer great service.

There are usually 3-4 people working behind the deli meat counter. This area is separate from the other parts of the store because they keep it pretty cold in there. Even in the summer, working several hours under those conditions would produce a good chill in one’s bones. On top of the environmental issues, many a time, those working behind the glass have to deal with rude and irate customers. There have been times that I have been waiting and have been embarrassed because of the way a customer treated one of the workers.

Yet, most of the time these workers maintain great attitudes…even under duress. In fact, they look like they are enjoying what they are doing.

I am quite confident that these people didn’t get their high school diplomas and declare, “Yea! Now I can cut deli meat!” I am sure this is not their dream job. Yet, they serve with joy.

In Colossians 3:34-34, the apostle Paul wrote about this very thing when he penned, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.”

The key word in my opinion in that verse is “whatever.” This means in everything we do, be it taking out the trash, changing that smelly diaper or playing with our kids.

So, do you like your job? Even if you don’t, if you can remember who your real Boss is, it might give you a different outlook and help you to serve with joy and enthusiasm.

Bad Job?

Do you ever feel like Dilbert above? Like you have the worst job possible? I know I sure have. I even wrote about it in Bleedership, Biblical First-Aid for Leaders.

So how do you change that? As I see it, these are your options:

1. You can change jobs
2. You can "grin and bear it" but still deep down hate it
3. You can complain about it and do nothing
4. You can quit and not work
5. You can decide to change your attitude

Number 1 could bring positive change. In fact, God might be showing you that He has something else for you.

It could be argued that number 2 is also a positive option. On one hand it is positive; however, in your heart you still hate your job. The Bible is very clear that "the heart is the wellspring of life." In other words, what is in your heart will eventually come out.

Number 3 is not a good option. In my mind, it shouldn't even be an option, yet this is the way most people would react in this situation. Please make a commitment to yourself that you will not be in this category.

Number 4 could be an option...for about .00000001% of the population. For the rest of us, we can cross this off our list.

Number 5 is obviously the one that gets my vote. Just like I wrote about a couple days ago in "Ducks Quack, Eagles Soar," changing your attitude and seeing your job as a way to impact and serve others can change everything. All of a sudden, your work is not just about work but rather it is about people...people you can impact and make a difference for.

So which option will you choose?