Wednesday, May 2, 2018

Character

“The way you handle leaving says just as much (and maybe more) about your character and your faith as the way you conducted yourself on the job.” (Diane Paddison)

Are you ready to quit your job? You serve as an ambassador of Christ in the workplace. The way you handle leaving says just as much (and maybe more) about your character and your faith as the way you conducted yourself on the job. Whatever your strengths are they came from your Heavenly Father. He had a reason for giving them to you. Is it any surprise then, that we find ourselves physically drained when we aren't using those gifts?
If you're working 40 hours a week or more and not using those strengths, you're bound to feel discouraged and feeling unfulfilled, you might need to step back and consider other employment options. That isn’t to say you should immediately turn in your notice just because you don’t have the dream job you’ve always wanted.  Life will always be full of bumps and detours, and you won’t always make the huge impact you want with those who need Christ.

When should a Christian quit their job? Pray to God. If you’re in a job you hate, maybe you just need to pray that God helps you see it more as a mission field than a job. Maybe it’s time to start looking elsewhere. Let God lead you. Could it be the right time to leave your job? Before you make the decision to put in your two weeks’ notice, check out the information below:

1.   When God opens the next opportunity : The Christian answer for when it’s time to quit your job is when God tells you to. Sometimes that’s more complicated because God’s voice often sounds like our own good ideas. I’ve found God will often open up the next opportunity, and help you start seeing it when it’s time to move on.

If it seems like God is opening a new opportunity that makes your heart come alive at the possibility, begin praying that God would confirm the decision to quit your job. You’ll often start feeling a peace in your heart (though not always in your head). You’ll find it doesn’t require compromising what God has promised you for the next opportunity. This is a great time for a Christian to quit their job.

 
2.   When God says so, and even if there’s no other great prospect:. Sometimes God will tell you to quit your job even when there’s no better opportunity available even if you aren’t having to compromise your morals to do to the job. Sometimes God has bigger things in store for you, but He might not show you what those things are until you take a step of faith. If you feel like God’s telling you to quit your job, seek Him.

Ask Him to confirm this (especially if it’s something as frightening as this). You can even seek godly council from pastors and trusted leaders. When you feel His prompting, do it. Quit the job. It will be scary. God has something in store for you beyond what you could imagine. Often, He’ll hide the next step so that you can fully rely on Him, and not try to improve His plans.

3.   When it’s impossible to do work with integrity: There won’t always be that glowing opportunity that makes you feel wonderful about quitting. Sometimes, you have to quit because it’s the right thing to do. If your job is arranged in such a way that you have to compromise your morals, it’s time to quit.

If your boss (even after your appeals to their authority and to their heart) continues to ask you to do something immoral, it might be time to quit. Money is good. If you have to sacrifice your integrity to get it, it’s tainted. Seek God in these situations; make sure you’ve done all you can to fix the situation. Then if you have to, don’t hesitate to quit that job.

“Risk means everything from being honest about your faith, to moving, to quitting a job that's paying you a fortune but it's not what's in your heart. Risking things is one of the biggest fears we have.” (John Tesh)[i]




[i] Sources used:
·         “5 Signs You May Need to Quit Your Job” by Stewardship Team
·        “How to Quit Your Job” by Diane Paddison

·        “When Should A Christian Quit Their Job?” by Jonathan Malm

 

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