I choose to relax—to embrace quiet, to turn off any advice that pushes me to do something drastic or to act in anger toward someone. Sometimes, this is all I can do in the moment to “live at peace with everyone” (Romans 12:18).
Friends, welcome to the Faithful Provider Series! This series is for those still holding down their day jobs while building their online businesses from the ground up. It’s a season full of struggles, questions, and moments where we desperately seek God’s guidance. Join me as we explore these challenges together and discover how He is leading us, step by step, toward His plan for our lives.
Now on to the blog post, grab a coffee and relax!
Have you experienced this? A friend—or a group of friends—pressuring you to do something against your will because of hidden motives? This prompted me to post this, not to take a dig at anyone, but to strengthen myself and anyone who may be going through a similar situation.
May this encourage you today—especially you who are struggling with politics and toxicity in the workplace. We are still in this moment, and we can’t be anywhere else just yet. As breadwinners, we often have to linger until our savings are enough to leave that job, or until our online businesses take off.
“God has answers to everything bad you feel.
If you feel oppressed: Matthew 5:10 says, “Blessed are those who are persecuted.”
If you feel like you’re just being used: Matthew 5:44 says, “Pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you.”
If because of the anger you’re holding inside you want to take revenge: Don’t! Romans 12:19 says, “Vengeance is mine; I will repay.” Matthew 25:40 says, “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’”
If you feel like you no longer have any worth: Matthew 6:26 says, “Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow nor reap nor store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?”
If you are afraid of the future because you might lose your job and financial support: God is your Provider. It has always been His role to provide, even from the very beginning of creation. Philippians 4:19 says, “And my God shall supply every need according to His riches and glory in heaven.”
If you are always worrying: Philippians 4:6–7 says, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
If you feel broken inside and out: God has answers to everything bad you feel.
If you feel oppressed: Matthew 5:10 says, “Blessed are those who are persecuted.”
If you feel like you’re just being used: Matthew 5:44 says, “Pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you.”
If because of the anger you’re holding inside you want to take revenge: Don’t! Romans 12:19 says, “Vengeance is mine; I will repay.” Matthew 25:40 says, “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’”
If you feel like you no longer have any worth: Matthew 6:26 says, “Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow nor reap nor store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?”
If you are afraid of the future because you might lose your job and financial support: God is your Provider. It has always been His role to provide, even from the very beginning of creation. Philippians 4:19 says, “And my God shall supply every need according to His riches and glory in heaven.”
If you are always worrying: Philippians 4:6–7 says, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
If you feel broken inside and out: If you feel broken inside and out: Psalm 34:18 says, “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”
And if you feel like no one loves you: “But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Jesus would not give Himself for you if He did not love you, even when you were still a sinner.
So what now? Whatever you are feeling right now…
whatever questions you may have…
God has an answer for you.
You don’t need to act on your own anymore; there is a higher power governing over you. Come to Him and trust Him, and…
Just relax.”
My reminder to you is this: continue doing what is right, even in the face of opposition at work. The following reminders may be helpful to you:
Mind your conduct at work:
“Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ.” – Philippians 1:27
Live worthy of your calling, even in a corrupt environment:
“As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.” – Ephesians 4:1
“Encouraging, comforting, and urging you to live lives worthy of God, who calls you into his kingdom and glory.” – 1 Thessalonians 2:12
Practice self-control:
“For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love.” – 2 Peter 1:5–7
Serve:
“For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” – Mark 10:45
“You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love.” – Galatians 5:13
“Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.” – 1 Peter 4:10
Do everything for God:
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward.” – Colossians 3:23–24
Forgive:
“For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.” – Matthew 6:14–15
Avoid murmuring:
“For it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure. Do all things without grumbling or disputing, so that you may prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world.” – Philippians 2:13–15
Avoid self-sabotage. This is not what God wants for you:
“I have come that they may have life, and have it more abundantly.” – John 10:10
Continue praying for those who use you or oppose you:
“Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.” – Romans 12:14
Practice self-discipline at work:
“Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives’ tales; rather, train yourself to be godly.” – 1 Timothy 4:7
Take counsel from the Lord, not from people:
This means avoiding gossip or pouring out your heart to everyone—bring it to the Lord instead.
“Many plans are in a person’s heart, but the counsel of the Lord will stand.” – Proverbs 19:21
Faithful providers, be strong in this season of life in which the Lord has entrusted us to provide. I know you are tired and weary—perhaps even crushed in spirit—but I encourage you to keep going as we lay the foundation of our businesses.
Do not live as though you have already arrived; admit that we have not. Do not treat your work as if you are ready to leave everything behind. Live in the moment—the moment where we are called to serve both at work and at home.
Our plans will come to fruition if we continue with the right strategies and diligent research. But for now, be the best steward before God, even in the midst of a corrupt workplace.