Having The Right Attitude At Work

²³ Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters,²⁴ since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. (Col 3:23-24)

Lately, I've been feeling a little disjointed at work.  My boss is a good man, but he's a bit erratic in his leadership style and there have been times where I feel as if he's thrown his managers "under the bus".  There are snap decisions made and changes happen from the gut rather than from careful considerations.  There are also moments of loose integrity and a strange lack of trust in the culture.  I suppose there is a bit of that at every job (no job is perfect).

Through a combination of the types of occurrences above, I believe that I have lost some of the respect that I have had for him and as a consequence, I'm not very excited to go to work.  Oh, I'm getting my work done with competence and responsibility, but on the inside, I know that I'm far from enthusiastic.

Yesterday, although our team is busy doing a big project that he pushed forward two months, I got an additional request that seemed a little silly.  Tired from a long week at both work and at home, I fumed at the thought of it.  I complained in my mind at my desk and later on the drive home.

Then, I felt the Holy Spirit remind me of this verse, and ask me, "Why don't you respect the person that I have put over your authority?  Why do you complain and make your own heart bitter because of the things that you are actually paid to do?"

In a typical God-like fashion, He had cut to the chase.  Yes, I may not have the perfect boss, and there are times when he makes decisions that make our lives harder -- BUT, my boss is not the issue.

God already knew what kind of man he sent me to work for, and it was the Lord who placed me where I am.  In truth, I am working with God as my boss, and my current boss is only a conduit.

Now, there may come a time when the Lord calls me to work elsewhere at which time I will be obedient to the call and be released from my current place of work.  Nor am I a slave and bound to stay without my personal consent.  I have a choice to obey and serve where I am or to go elsewhere.

YET, if I choose to obey and choose to stay (I am hardly abused at work - the conditions are decent), I can't serve with mere competence.  I must serve with the right heart and the right attitude.

And it starts with respecting my leaders, even if they are not always worthy of respect.  It starts with a proper conduct on the inside and out.

Complaining in a poison in my own soul.  It doesn't improve a situation or make it better - rather, it enhances and brings dissatisfaction to the forefront.  Shared complaints are even worse - they sow discontent and pollute the work environment.  A dark cloud hangs over the organization that has a complaining attitude and motivation drops to the bare minimums.

Now, I'm not the only one who felt this way at work - it has been going on for a while, but I have allowed myself to participate in the dissatisfaction at work.  I need to choose to stop that.

I have a lot to learn in my field and I know this.  I also know that my boss is both a good man and a knowledgeable man.  He is generally good at what he does, and if I have a good attitude, I can take away new insights and boost my personal experience.

That can happen - if I view my job in the right light and bring a renewed passion.  I am not working for my boss, I work for Jesus.  However, my boss is to be respected because the Lord placed him over me in authority.

Lord Jesus, you have been very right in diagnosing the sickness within me. I have been bitter and complaining in my heart.  That is not the way that a man who is grateful to You should act.  Please help me to repent and to change Lord.  Please help me to be a good worker, an enthusiastic worker.  Help me to forgive truly some of the instances that have occurred in which I have felt betrayed and under-appreciated.  Let me instead realize that regardless of what may happen, You are on the throne, and Your plans for me with never be thwarted by the actions of man.

Thank You for my job.  Thank You for all that You have allowed our family to experience through this job.  Cleanse my heart and help me to stand with a clean heart once again. In Jesus' name, AMEN.