Conflict at the Workplace

Ever had one of those jobs that you just hated to roll out of bed for? Ever had a boss that you thought was too demanding or too incompetent? Ever had a co-worker who just rubbed you the wrong way? Have you ever felt like your job was a dead end, with no  hope of promotion or change in sight? Then you can feel safe knowing that God has not forgotten you!

Changing Your View

If your job can be described by any of the above statements, then chances are that you feel lost, hopeless, or depressed about your current conditions. People in these positions usually develop bad attitudes, their quality of work is at par or below, and they feel no loyalty to their company because they don’t feel that the company genuinely cares about them. But in America today, any job is a blessing!

We must begin to change our view of the workplace. If you are a Christian, then the workplace is a great mission field. You have been sent to this “strange land” by God’s design to model his mercy, patience, and grace towards these people. He has you there because He has entrusted them into your care and direction. You have a purpose much greater than that of creating your product or service. Your are on a mission from God, not to simply deny your work and preach to everyone in a cubicle or department. Your mission is to let your actions and attitude set you apart from everyone else so that they can see that Jesus TRULY has the power to change lives for the better.

Working As Unto The Lord

Everything you do at work is noticed. I’m not talking about your supervisor or that co-worker who creepily stares at you from a distance. I’m talking about God the Holy Spirit. He notices how you manage your time at work. He notices that extra step you took to make sure your work was better than average. His rewards sometimes come in the form of a promotion or a raise at work. Sometimes your rewards get stored up for you in heaven. But you can be certain that God keeps record of your work. So take heart in knowing that even when your superiors don’t notice the sacrifices you make, God does.

“Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward.” Colossians 3:23-24

Honoring Your Leaders

God loves it when we honor our leaders. When we are able to practice submission to authority, it becomes that much easier for us to submit to God’s authority. Even Jesus who was the son of God submitted himself to the authority of other men when he paid his taxes, obeyed his parents, honored the culture’s customs, and submitted himself under the hand of Pontius Pilate and the executioners. If Jesus did it, shouldn’t we?

I have worked many jobs over the years. I’ve worked at car dealerships detailing cars and changing oil. I’ve worked for grocery stores, various factories, the state highway department, Oakland City University, farms, school systems as a teacher, churches at various levels, and now a school as administrator. The greatest piece of advice that I can give any of you for your workplace is to honor the leadership. Be someone that they can depend on. Do your work well, show up on time, meet quotas and deadlines, and volunteer to help in any way they need you to. It may take some time, but God has always allowed me favor in the eyes of my supervisors when I’ve honored the leaders he has placed over me.

What are the greatest challenges you face at the workplace? How would God have you meet that challenge?