It’s Thursday afternoon, and you’re already mentally checked out for the weekend—again. Your motivation is running on fumes, your inbox feels like a graveyard of endless tasks and your daily routine has devolved into wondering if this is really what adulting was supposed to be. Honestly, you’re not alone.
At some point, you’ve probably considered jumping ship for something—anything—that feels more purposeful. But before you start drafting that perfectly crafted resignation letter, here’s a counterintuitive thought: What if staying in this frustrating, uninspiring job is actually the spiritual discipline you never knew you needed?
In today’s world, especially within church culture, career satisfaction is often portrayed as the ultimate marker of divine approval. The idea of “calling” is tossed around with the casual ease of a trending hashtag, implying that true spiritual maturity means loving your work effortlessly.
But psychologists and theologians suggest there’s profound spiritual value hidden in the grind of a job you haven’t learned to love—yet.
Dr. Angela Duckworth, author of “Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance,” emphasizes that sticking through tough situations cultivates resilience, patience and emotional intelligence. Duckworth’s research has repeatedly shown that grit—perseverance in the face of difficulty—is a more reliable predictor of success than natural talent or intelligence alone.
These traits aren’t just professionally advantageous; they’re also spiritually transformative, shaping our character and equipping us to navigate life’s inevitable setbacks.
Theologian and priest Tish Harrison Warren agrees, exploring similar themes in her book “Liturgy of the Ordinary.” Warren argues that spiritual maturity often emerges precisely through monotony and routine. She writes, “The crucible of boredom and monotony teaches us humility and obedience in ways flashy successes simply cannot.”
Suddenly, those tedious hours spent managing spreadsheets or dealing with demanding clients aren’t just annoyances—they become sacred moments of potential spiritual formation.
But practically speaking, how do you survive—and possibly even thrive—in a job that drains your enthusiasm faster than your battery dies scrolling TikTok?
Psychologist Adam Grant offers insightful advice on his podcast “WorkLife,” suggesting a shift from chasing passion to embracing purpose. Passion fluctuates and is unpredictable, Grant notes, while purpose connects your work to something larger and lasting.
Perhaps your monotonous tasks enable your team to succeed, or maybe the stability of your role allows you to serve your community meaningfully after work hours. Discovering and connecting with this deeper sense of purpose can transform even the most mundane tasks into meaningful work.
From a spiritual perspective, disciplines like fasting, solitude and prayer intentionally involve discomfort because true growth rarely happens in comfort. Perseverance during dissatisfaction isn’t spiritual weakness—it’s wisdom. It trains your heart to rely on God’s provision and timing rather than immediate gratification.
James 1:4 captures this wisdom succinctly: “Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”
Recent research backs up this spiritual wisdom. A 2020 study in the Journal of Vocational Behavior found that resilience in stressful work environments significantly boosts long-term job satisfaction and emotional well-being. In other words, today’s challenges might lay the groundwork for tomorrow’s fulfillment.
Of course, this doesn’t mean enduring genuinely toxic or harmful workplaces indefinitely. Discernment is key. However, it’s worth thoughtfully considering whether your current dissatisfaction might be strategically beneficial—a spiritual season teaching perseverance, patience and deeper trust.
Consider the biblical example of Joseph, whose perseverance through betrayal, imprisonment and unjust suffering ultimately prepared him for his most significant impact. Joseph’s perseverance wasn’t passive resignation; it was active trust, equipping him for future responsibilities and blessings. Your present frustrations, though likely less extreme, could similarly be preparing you for greater opportunities.
Ultimately, viewing your current dissatisfaction as spiritually formative could radically reshape your perspective. Choosing perseverance as a spiritual discipline transforms your daily tasks into sacred practices. Every tedious email or uninspired meeting becomes an opportunity for growth.
It’s paradoxical but true: spiritual maturity rarely blossoms in comfort—it thrives precisely amid the messy, uncomfortable and ordinary moments you’re experiencing right now.
So before you hit send on that impulsive resignation email or refresh LinkedIn yet again, pause to consider this: Maybe God isn’t ignoring your prayers for a better job. Maybe He’s responding differently, deepening your faith, sharpening your resilience and preparing you for something greater.
Sometimes spiritual growth isn’t found by escaping dissatisfaction—it’s cultivated right in the heart of it.
