Why do so many of us accept that work should be a burden we must endure, rather than a part of our life in which we find joy or at least contentment?

It is intuitive, but also backed up by studies, that people who are happy at work are more productive and more successful. They perform better at their work because they find joy and satisfaction in what they do. These are people you want to be around.

I am certainly not suggesting that I expect all of us to get paid for doing something we enjoy as much as spending time with our families or going on vacation. However, there are a number of simple things we can do to find joy in our work.

1- Remember that we are more than our work. Our personal value comes from God. He crafted each of us as unique and special individuals to serve Him. Our value is not defined by how we perform or are perceived to perform at work.

2- Ultimately our joy comes from God. Ensure you spend time in prayer and study of the Bible daily.  Not only do we grow closer to God and develop a better understanding of His character and instruction for our lives, but it puts into perspective what is important about our work and our lives.

3- Basic for finding contentment or satisfaction with any job is reminding yourself why you choose to do that work. List the positive aspects of your employment such as providing for your family, enabling you to support your church or honor God with your money, and allowing you an opportunity to reach people for Jesus in your workplace… can really impact your attitude toward your job. Instead of viewing it as a prison with chains, it is a choice you make for specific reasons. If you can not find any good reasons or if the job forces you into conflicts with your Christian faith you likely want to seek alternate employment.

4- Know how your job or role contributes and matters to the bigger picture where you work. Don’t limit yourself to a narrow view of just “completing specific job tasks”, but rather understand the broader picture. It leads to a higher degree of satisfaction.  This concept is described from a classic example:

A man walked down a road by a construction site. He saw three workers laying bricks in what appeared to be a wall. As he asked each man separately what they were doing he received the following three responses… I am laying bricks, I am building a wall, and finally, I am building a cathedral so people can worship and honor God.

Which of the three men do you think was most satisfied with his work? The one who saw the bigger picture of course. He understood not just what he was doing but the value of it to a bigger purpose.

5- Avoid focusing too long in your mind about what a “perfect” job would be like. This type of exercise can be useful to help identify a specific action such as evaluating alternate employment, but becomes depressing if you continually compare your current circumstances to a theoretical perfect job that may not really exist.

6- Look for ways you can take initiative at work to help create the environment in which you want to work. If you want a friendly and Christian environment… then start by acting that way yourself!

7- Certainly not last, but at the end of the list because it is something we should keep in our minds as we go back to our daily lives… come before God humbly and ask Him to help you find joy in your work… whether in your current job or by finding another.

For additional resources to help you find joy in your work, check out our Earn Money with a Purpose page at GrowGodsMoney.org.

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Remember that all you have belongs to God. Manage your money God’s way. Visit GrowGodsMoney.org .