6 tips on how to stay motivated in an unfulfilling job – (I didn’t get the promotion).
Good day beautiful people,
I hope that this post meets you well? I wanted to update you on my current life affair. I’ve been feeling extremely stagnant in my job, therefore I applied for a leadership role within the same organisation. I wanted to further challenge myself due to lack of personal development within my career. I got really excited about being offered a job interview on one of my fast days. But guess what….I DIDN’T get the job. I thought I had it in the bag because I put effort into my presentation, and I believe that my presentational skills were great, but God had other plans for me. This was a promotional opportunity I’d been waiting for, but I had to remind myself that in life things don’t always go according to my own plans, but God’s plans for my life are always perfect! With regards to fasting God had to remind me that miracles (great happenings) are not only reserved to the days that I fast on. The Lord had to transform and renew my mindset so that I understood that just because a magnificent opportunity presents itself on a day that I fast, doesn’t mean that the opportunity came from Him. Also God had to point me to the fact that EVERYDAY is a day which He has made, so I should rejoice in the fact that I’m alive and well, for life in itself is a miracle! Let us not turn a blind eye to the everyday miracles which God does in our life.
Psalm 118:24 ~ This is the day the LORD has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it.
Now I can openly admit that I wasn’t happy with the outcome of the interview, discovering that the person who got the job was an individual who hadn’t been qualified for very long, and was someone that I trained. But God reminded me that I prayed for HIS will to be done in this situation. I didn’t want a job promotion that would negatively impact my relationship with Him. So I had to lay anger aside. I also had to deal with feelings of lack of appreciation, I couldn’t help but think that in the almost 7 years that I’ve been in the organisation, I’ve only taken 4 days of sick and that was because I had covid. Yet again God had to remind me that ultimately I’m NOT working for my boss, but for Him. I’m not working in order to get a pat on the shoulder, or a thank you, although these are nice/kind gestures, my main goal within my career is to honour God and to bring Him glory.
On the same day that I found out that I was not selected for the senior role, my mum also found out that the job interview she attended was unsuccessful. My dad encouraged us by reminding us to focus on God’s word, and to remember the experiences which Mordecai went through. Mordecai showed loyalty to King Xerxes but his loyalty was quickly forgotten! I was also reminded of Joseph’s encounter with the butler who forgot the comfort which Joseph gave him whilst he was in prison.
Esther 6:1-3 ~ “That night the king had trouble sleeping, so he ordered an attendant to bring the book of the history of his reign so it could be read to him. In those records he discovered an account of how Mordecai had exposed the plot of Bigthana and Teresh, two of the eunuchs who guarded the door to the king’s private quarters. They had plotted to assassinate King Xerxes. “What reward or recognition did we ever give Mordecai for this?” the king asked. His attendants replied, “Nothing has been done for him.”
^^^ You may get no recognition for the contributions which you make within an organisation, but your good work is not in vain. The Lord will bless you for walking in obedience to His word by respecting your manager.
Esther 6: 7- 10 ~ “So he replied, “If the king wishes to honor someone, he should bring out one of the king’s own royal robes, as well as a horse that the king himself has ridden—one with a royal emblem on its head. Let the robes and the horse be handed over to one of the king’s most noble officials. And let him see that the man whom the king wishes to honor is dressed in the king’s robes and led through the city square on the king’s horse. Have the official shout as they go, ‘This is what the king does for someone he wishes to honor!’” “Excellent!” the king said to Haman. “Quick! Take the robes and my horse, and do just as you have said for Mordecai the Jew, who sits at the gate of the palace. Leave out nothing you have suggested!”
Esther 9:4 ~ “For Mordecai had been promoted in the king’s palace, and his fame spread throughout all the provinces as he became more and more powerful.”
^^^Eventually Mordecai was promoted for exposing a plot against the king. This passage encouraged me to WAIT on God for elevation.
6 useful tips.
1. Don’t stay angry/bitter: When you harbour bitterness within your heart, you only destroy yourself. Let go and let God deal with the issues of unfair treatment at work. Remember that He causes even the bad situations that happen in our lives to work out for good.
Psalm 37:1-9 ~ “Don’t worry about the wicked or envy those who do wrong. For like grass, they soon fade away. Like spring flowers, they soon wither. Trust in the Lord and do good. Then you will live safely in the land and prosper. Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you your heart’s desires. Commit everything you do to the Lord. Trust him, and he will help you. He will make your innocence radiate like the dawn, and the justice of your cause will shine like the noonday sun. Be still in the presence of the Lord, and wait patiently for him to act. Don’t worry about evil people who prosper or fret about their wicked schemes. Stop being angry! Turn from your rage! Do not lose your temper it only leads to harm. For the wicked will be destroyed, but those who trust in the Lord will possess the land.”
2. Don’t become that coworker who fights with everyone: Not every battle is worth fighting. I think that it’s important for us to better utilise our energy to build ourselves up, rather than trying to tear others down. Apply for in-house sponsored courses to personally develop, and gain new skills which you can potentially use elsewhere!
Ephesians 4:29 ~ Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.
3. Remember you’re working for God: Change your mindset, stop seeking appreciation from man (your boss), instead seek for God’s approval through honouring Him with the work of your hands.
Colossians 3:23 ~ Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters,
4. Don’t forget that rewards come from God: The Lord is the one who places people in specific positions. We mustn’t forget that the rewards which God has in store for us are all good. Even if your boss doesn’t acknowledge your hard work, God see’s all the good which you do and will not forget your acts of godliness.
Romans 13:1 ~ Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God.
Proverbs 15:3 ~ The eyes of the Lord are in every place, Watching the evil and the good.
Hebrews 11:6 ~ “And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.”
Nehemiah 5:19 ~ “Remember, O my God, all that I have done for these people, and bless me for it.”
Nehemiah 13:14 ~ “Remember this good deed, O my God, and do not forget all that I have faithfully done for the Temple of my God and its services.”
^^^ Honestly God will not forget the hard work which you do. As the bible says even if your mother or father forgets you, God never will!
5. Have an attitude of gratitude: Be thankful for the fact that you have a source of income. And be grateful for the opportunity to share the love of Christ with others.
6. Stay prayed up: This is our defence against Satan, so that we don’t fall prey to his tricks and lose our testimony at work. Don’t be led by your emotions, pray at all times, and take time out to talk with your Heavenly Father if you feel like you’re going to explode.
I hope that you gained a few practical tips from today’s post, and are able to implement them into your everyday life. Have a glorious week, never give up and keep on holding onto God’s word.
Love from
Christian Lady After God’s Own Heart
