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Presented by Lauren Stibgen
We have all been there. You feel the fiery flames of the enemy sting at work. We all face trials at work, but how we handle them is another way we can reflect our faith through our work and express a Colossians 3:23 attitude.
James 1:2-3 tells us to consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.
When trials hit you at work, we may find joy very difficult, but how we handle the trial will also speak volumes to those we work with.
No matter what position you hold for work, receiving constructive feedback about your performance, being the subject of gossip, or being passed for a promotion can be some of the most personally difficult things you go through.
Maybe the trial isn’t about you personally, but you are carrying the burden of knowing your company might be considering layoffs or even a pay cut.
Feelings well up. We feel anger, frustration, less than, anxious, eager to retaliate or gossip in return, disengaged in general. These are all natural but not how the Lord calls us to respond. In fact, God uses these trials to draw us closer to and more reliant upon him.
In, Exodus 14:13-14, Moses answered the people, ‘Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.’
It takes time to process emotion during a trial. Those feelings, they want to spill out, but if we want to show our faith through our work, expressing our anger, frustration, anxiety, or harmful words don’t show our faith at all.
What would happen if in the moment of difficult feedback, gossip, or disappointment, you chose to be silent and not react, to stand firm in your faith knowing the Lord will work for you? You don’t need to do anything in that moment, but remember the Lord fights our battles and walks with us in our trials.
Taking this approach allows you to process a different response—a biblical and faithful one. After all, constructive feedback may be hard to hear but can help you grow. Not receiving that promotion may mean God has something better ahead. Flying above the gossip targeted at you and remembering what a reward you have in Christ can refresh your attitude. God even calls us to repay our enemies with kindness!
I have personally experienced everything I spoke of here today. Yet, holding fast to the Word has helped me learn not to react but to lean on the Lord.