Buddhist Catholic Contemplative Evangelical General Christian Hindu Jewish Latter-day Saint Muslim New Visions Progressive Christian

Beliefs

Topics

Columnists

Resource Library

Research Tools

Video

Podcasts

Thought Readers

Faith In Media Tracker

Newsletters

Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In Subscription Support

Follow Patheos

Dave Willis

Home
Relationships and Religion
4 things to do when you hate your job

4 things to do when you hate your job

Last updated on: February 22, 2015 at 9:58 pm by Dave Willis

4 things to do when you hate your job 2015-02-22T21:58:23-05:00 Dave Willis

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

(Photo courtesy of Shutterstock.com)

I’ve had some pretty lousy jobs.

I started out on minimum wage back when it was $4.25 an hour, which wasn’t terrible, because gas was less than a buck a gallon at the time (yes, I know, I’m old). I worked at a pizza place where I swept, cooked and did whatever the other guys didn’t want to do. I was eventually “promoted” to Delivery Boy, where I took pizzas to some of the roughest parts of town and dodged barking Pit Bulls and other hazards.

My next stop was a grocery store where I stocked shelves and tediously kept the canned goods stacked neatly with the labels symmetrically lined up. Next, I worked on a construction site to save some money for college. During college, I worked on a landscaping crew and spent summers working the night shift at a factory where I unloaded trucks.

After I graduated from college, I finally landed some “office work” (a job where you shower before work instead of showing after work) which didn’t pay much and had some office “drama,” but I was just thrilled to be doing where I didn’t smell like a dumpster at the end of my shift! Eventually, by God’s grace, I landed in the ministry. I’ve spent the past ten years as a pastor, which is incredibly rewarding work, but in many ways, it’s also the toughest job I’ve ever had.

Almost everyday serving as a pastor, I talk to folks who hate their jobs, and when we hate our work, it makes every aspect of our lives feel a lot more stressful. Through my own experiences and the experiences of others, I’ve learned a few lessons which should be applied to any work situation. As a disclaimer, I didn’t make any of these up! They’re all in the Bible (which, surprisingly, is an incredibly practical “Work Manual”).

Below are four timeless principles to remember in your work. For ongoing encouragement and tools to help you thrive at work and at home, please connect with me on twitter and signup for our email list.

1. Remember that if you want to Earn More, you have to Learn More.

I’m not just talking about formal eduction (although, that can be an important aspect of it). Look at your job as a training ground for the next chapter of your life. Learn all you can from whoever will teach you. Read books. Listen to podcasts. Find mentors. Keep learning. If you want to move up or move on, you have to outgrow your job and that doesn’t happen automatically because of time. You have to be intentional and disciplined to keep growing. Don’t just talk about it or dream about it…do it!

“All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty.” Proverbs 14:23

2. Show respect even to people who don’t deserve it; not as a reflection of their character, but as a reflection of yours.

You’re going to have coworkers and bosses who aren’t very respectable, but you still need to show them respect. Don’t sink to their level. Rise above. Change the environment; don’t let the environment change you.

“Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” Romans 12:17-18

For more on this, check out my free video on How to Change the World.

3. Save your best for the people who matter most.

We’ve all been guilty of having a bad day at work and then being a jerk to our families afterwards. Try to never do that again. Your job isn’t nearly as important as your family. On your deathbed, you won’t be thinking about your boss or your co-workers, you’ll be thinking about your faith and your family. They’re what matters most, so give them your very best (not just your leftovers after you’ve given your best to everyone else all day).

“Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.” 1 Peter 4:8

For more on this, watch our free video series on The 4 Pillars of a Strong Marriage and check out my “iVow” book at the bottom of this post.

4. Remember who you’re working for.

If you have a mindset that you’re just working for “The Man” or for a boss, you’re always going to be frustrated. The truth is that wherever you’re working, and whatever you’re doing, you’re working for God. He loves you and He’s for you. Let your hard work be a reflection of your Faith and your hard work will honor God and inspire the people around you.

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart as if working for the Lord and not for people.” Colossians 3:23

For practical tools and encouragement to help you build a rock-solid marriage and family, please check out my bestselling book iVow: Secrets to a Stronger Marriage which is now also available on iTunes for Download on iPhones, iPads and all Apple devices.*

Life Tools

Dave Willis

how to become a better boss

how to deal with a mean boss

how to get a better job

how to get a promotion

how to get ahead in work

how to stand out at work

what does the Bible say about work

Previous Post

August 11, 2014

5 Things You Need to Tell Your Spouse

Next Post

August 20, 2014 4 no-cost ways to improve your marriage

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Bible Study Family and Parenthood General Inspiration and Encouragement Life Tools Marriage Uncategorized Videos

Select a Month August 2022 May 2018 February 2018 January 2018 December 2017 November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much ____; apart from me you can do nothing.

Select your answer to see how you score.

Joy Faith Fruit Peace

Books by This Author Books by Dave Willis

See All Titles »