Are you having a tough time at work? Have you ever asked, "Why is God allowing this to happen to me?" Many of us have been there and done that. This week Dr. Richard Bouch has some encouraging and helpful words.

King David was one of Israel's greatest kings. Yet his preparation time was a lengthy period of adversity. It may have seemed really strange to him, as his relationship with the then king (Saul) began with two very positive events, his place as a court attendant and his slaying of the dangerous warrior Goliath. Yet the relationship was still filled with adversity, while David stuck it out.
When we rely on Jesus Christ to lead us in the direction He would like our lives to go, adversity can be a helper. This is an unavoidable part of following Christ, like it or not. I worked for two years in a job I badly wanted to avoid, yet God got me into it by closing off other work opportunities. And in that workplace, I learned important lessons for life and Christian service that help me to this day. In fact, God has done this kind of thing more than once in my work experience.
Looking back, I'm glad I gave in to God. Sometimes that was hard. But the "school of hard knocks" certainly has its Christian counterpart in God's compassionate yet firm determination to develop us towards spiritual, moral, and mental maturity.
So, when Christ asserts His Lordship by allowing adversity in our work lives, will we respond like Saul, or like David? David was talented and capable from the beginning, but he couldn't be king until he'd gained a lot more life experience. He looked like promotion material, yet instead was hunted and harassed. Through it all, God's Word and God's ways became more and more alive in his heart. May we react likewise.
A WORK PRAYER
Holy Spirit of God, please open this Scripture to me in the context of Your calling on my life through work: "Every branch of mine that does not bear fruit He takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit." (John 15: 2) Thank You that when I try to obey You, adversity at work can fit into Your purposes. Amen.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
  1. What are some examples of adversity from your work life? How can God use those situations to make you grow?
  2. What are some examples of Christ-like responses to adversity at work?
This WorkLife SwitchTOOL was written by Dr. Richard Bouch. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Content edited and distributed by WorkLife.org for non-profit educational purposes.