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“And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope.” (Romans 5:3, 4 – NKJV)
Have you ever had a problem at work, even in the ministry? Of course, you have. Everyone—no matter where they work or who they work with—has had some difficulty in their job at some point.
The Bible tells you what to do with that kind of trouble: “And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope.” (Romans 5:3, 4 – NKJV)
God is far more interested in your character than in your comfort. He wants to perfect you, not pamper you. His goal in your life and work is not to make you comfortable; He aims to help you grow up. The Lord can use the problems in your life to grow your character.
When you have a problem at work, instead of asking the Lord why you’re having that problem, ask Him, “What do you want me to learn from this? Show me my blind spot? Is there a character issue that needs some work?
While you ask God, “What?” also remember this simple truth: The Lord is working on me while I am working on my job.
Sometimes temptation will be a problem for you at work, but God can even use those temptations to make you more useful to Him! I’ve heard believers say they don’t like working with unbelievers because those unbelievers bring more challenges. But that doesn’t always have to be true. You can be tempted with believers just as much as with unbelievers.
It’s not a sin to be tempted anyway, but it is a sin to give in to temptation. Scripture says Jesus was tempted in every way, just like you are, yet He never sinned.
No matter where you work, you will be tempted for the rest of your life. But God will use those temptations for good because He wants to use them to build character in your life. Each time you’re tempted, you have a choice to make. You can choose to resist temptation, or you can choose to give in to it.
Each time you give in to temptation, it harms you. But every time you choose to do good, temptation becomes a stepping-stone for growth.
Think About It
- Why does God want me to rejoice when I have problems and trials (Romans 5:3-4)? What do I think it takes to be able to do that?
- How does asking God “what” instead of “why” change my perspective?
- What has God provided to help me resist temptation at work?
