I’ve noticed a huge trend among my friends. Many of them are in bummer jobs. Either they don’t feel challenged, don’t feel valued, or have no hope for growth. They’re frustrated, and I try to encourage them. This is what I encourage them with…
Note: Before we start, I came from an absolutely wonderful job. I loved my church, my leadership…I’d still be working there if my wife and I didn’t need to move.
That being said, things weren’t always peachy at my job. I butted heads with leadership…a bunch. (Pretty much all because of my stubbornness and need to learn.) And there were times they didn’t go with my “expert” opinion on how things should run. *gasp* I got frustrated at times.
But now I live in hindsight. I’m a full-time writer, writing about working at church. Those experiences are pretty much all I reflect on. I realized this: Every crappy situation gave me something to write about. My blogging and writing wouldn’t have happened if I had worked in the perfect situation. It’s through struggle and pain that we grow as humans. It’s called growing pains…not growing tickles. You won’t want to giggle in those times, but those times are when we grow.
And God has plans for us. He has a blueprint – a place He’s leading us to. My writing and my advice would be shallow if I hadn’t gone through conflict. The very best ideas I’ve had wouldn’t have come without the frustrations.
Crappy jobs and situations are God’s way to teach us. He teaches us how to handle something way bigger than we could possibly see for ourselves. So don’t get discouraged. Something good is coming if you respond well.
Let me leave you with this encouragement from James 1:2-4 – Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.
Thanks for the post Jonathan. It is appreciated.
This can be a dark subject for me. There are times I have job situation envy… But eventually I come back to the joy of my first ministry position. Was I paid well – No! Was it an ideal situation – No! Was I excited about working in God’s Kingdom – ABSOLUTELY!
I was young inexperienced and excited. My goal is to now be old(er) experienced and still excited. – regardless of job situational crappiness.
I come back to the fact that I am #1 Fortunate to be in God’s Kingdom and #2 Fortunate that he has called me to minister to His bride.
I love that. Always being excited…I think that’s key to enjoying your job. 🙂
Thanks for the post Jonathan. It is appreciated.
This can be a dark subject for me. There are times I have job situation envy… But eventually I come back to the joy of my first ministry position. Was I paid well – No! Was it an ideal situation – No! Was I excited about working in God’s Kingdom – ABSOLUTELY!
I was young inexperienced and excited. My goal is to now be old(er) experienced and still excited. – regardless of job situational crappiness.
I come back to the fact that I am #1 Fortunate to be in God’s Kingdom and #2 Fortunate that he has called me to minister to His bride.
I love that. Always being excited…I think that’s key to enjoying your job. 🙂
Good thoughts man. I love what I do now but this post definitely would have rang true for me back when I was throwing papers at 3am, going to school and finishing the day delivering Papa John’s. And you’re absolutely right… I’m glad I went through that. A lot of good art came out of that stretch.
Good thoughts man. I love what I do now but this post definitely would have rang true for me back when I was throwing papers at 3am, going to school and finishing the day delivering Papa John’s. And you’re absolutely right… I’m glad I went through that. A lot of good art came out of that stretch.
Interesting enough, this was (and still is) my sruggle. I’m doing better because of that text in James 1, and I read it a week ago, so its interesting you are sharing that with us today!
Even earlier this week, I felt like at age 28 I shouldn’t be where I am. I should be talking in conferences and sessions and have my book published by now and other great things.
BUT as much as I hate to admit it sometimes, this period of itme in my life is for a much greater reason.
Interesting enough, this was (and still is) my sruggle. I’m doing better because of that text in James 1, and I read it a week ago, so its interesting you are sharing that with us today!
Even earlier this week, I felt like at age 28 I shouldn’t be where I am. I should be talking in conferences and sessions and have my book published by now and other great things.
BUT as much as I hate to admit it sometimes, this period of itme in my life is for a much greater reason.