Signs that it may be time for a new job: Christ Worker Edition
We've all been there. Monday morning, coffee in hand, fingers at the keyboard to log in, and then you pause and say to yourself, 'I don't know if I can do this anymore". Every keystroke is labored, as you peck in your password. Your email inbox appears, and then a long sigh follows. From that point on, you do your best to get your work done…nothing more and nothing less. Then you go home and repeat the next day.
This is not how God wants us to live. Our work was meant to be a form of worship to God. He is a creator and a maker of things that glorify Him, and being made in His image, we follow suit. When our work is no longer a means of bringing worship to God and serving the Kingdom, it may be time to consider moving on to a new role.
Below are some ways that God may be showing you it is time to get the resume freshened up and begin looking for something new.
Routinely thinking about a new job
God will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; God will guide you with His eye. Psalm 32:8
What I am not talking about is when you finish up a tough week, Friday afternoon comes, and you mumble to yourself, "I gotta get out of this place!"
What I am talking about is when God begins directing your thoughts to another role regardless of whether things at work are going great or horrible. However, if things are more on the negative side, then asking yourself some questions can help you gauge what God is doing. What does the Bible say about my work situation (endurance, attitude change)? Have I prayed about the situation? Am I at a breaking point with a co-worker or a boss?
If you are thinking about a new role regularly, God may have already set in motion in your spirit what He is purposing in your life. Look for a fresh start, because a new opportunity may be on the horizon!
You take your work stress home, and it is dominating your conversations
…For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of. Matthew 12:34
You come home, and your spouse has cooked your favorite meal. All your favorite sides and even a sugar-filled dessert is awaiting your consumption. Unfortunately, instead of a thankful attitude and one that celebrates all the hard work done in your honor, you rattle off complaint and after complaint about work.
Being passionate about your work is one thing, but let's be clear: There is a difference between being a willful martyr for Christ and volunteering for a slow death at work.
You find yourself frequently thinking about dying and going to Heaven - Even If You're Young!
We all want to end up in Heaven with The Spirit, Jesus, and our Father one day, but today we have a job to do, and He will hold us accountable for it.
If you are not able to fully engage in your current role, then it is possible that you are in the wrong job or even worse: Depressed. Prayerfully and with accountability, go to God over this issue. While we are called to think on heavenly things above, we still must operate down below on earth and be productive. God has given you gifts and talents that He expects to be used here on earth while you are living. Discover where God wants you and what He wants you to do! Do not accept a life of hopeless desperation.
Teach us to use all the time we have with wisdom. Psalm 90:12
Your sleep patterns are off
Work stress can mess up your pillow time. Exhausted, you may collapse on your bed out of sheer exhaustion around 9 p.m., but then 2 a.m. rolls around, and you are wide awake. Anxiety about work seems to awaken around this time, and if you allow it, fear will keep you from getting a good night's rest. And when you are not well-rested, you are not going to be productive.
There are demonic forces that will try their best to get you in a constant state of exhaustion. When you are always tired and weak from not sleeping, you are susceptible to thoughts of fear and anxiety. Begin praying about changing your job, and also meditate on scriptures like:
When my anxiety overwhelmed me, Your consolation delighted my soul. Psalm 94:19
Your health is degrading
Your physical health can represent what is going on with your mental health. If you're feeling generally sick or have a sense of habitual lethargy, your Job might be to blame. If your job is making you sick, then you either need to take an extended vacation or look for a new position.
I hope all is well with you and that you are as healthy in body as you are strong in spirit. 3 John 1:2
Your Appetite Is Curbed, or You Are Overeating
Stress eating or missing meals due to work stress are one and the same. Both are coping strategies that result in malnourishment for your body. Too many sweets or not enough healthy calories can not only affect your body, but it will also impact your ability to be productive at work.
There is nothing better for a person than to eat and drink and enjoy their work. I have also seen that this is from the hand of God. Ecclesiastes 2:24
You are not as productive at work, lack motivation, and bored out of your mind
Ultimately, fulfillment in life comes from God. From that sense of fulfillment, we can live rewarding lives by working with our hands as an expression of thankfulness to God. If you are not into what you are doing, are you really worshiping God with all of your heart?
Whatever you do, work from the soul, as to the Lord and not to men Colossians 3:23
Difficult Co-Workers or Bosses
We live in a fallen world, and although Jesus came to save all those that call on His name and follow Him, not everyone will take Him up on that offer. There are people in this world that are difficult and borderline evil. Pray for them, love them as best as you can, but at the end of the day, you are not married to them or your Job. If you are not able to be productive for the Kingdom and or professionally because of difficult people, then ask God to mature your heart to endure this hardship or ask Him to remove those individuals and, as a last resort, remove yourself from that work situation.
Go away from me, all you who do evil, for the LORD has heard my weeping. Psalm 6:8
At the end of the day, before leaving your current role, allow the Holy Spirit to guide you in this process through prayer and bible study. It would also be wise to incorporate a few qualified individuals to help you through this process.
Many plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers, they succeed.
Proverbs 15:22
WWW.CHRISTWORKER.ORG