The Secret to Finding Joy in Work

Do you love your job? Or do you just go to work every day and put in your time with zero or minimal enthusiasm?

How about your volunteer time at church? Do you take on tasks out of a sense of obligation? Or are you joyfully serving the Lord?

Those may be tough questions which, if you’re honest with yourself, reveal truths that you don’t want to admit. If the joy is missing, how do you find or reclaim it? How do you focus on the positive? How do you fix difficult situations?

Admittedly, I don’t hold the answers, but scripture certainly offers insights. Romans 12:6–8 teaches us that we’ve received different gifts—whether that of teaching, encouraging, leading.... It seems logical then that the vocational and volunteering choices we make should utilize those gifts. And it logically follows that using God-given talents will then bring joy.

I am often amazed by the diversity of vocations among my five siblings and me. My oldest brother is part owner of a farm implement dealership. I am a writer and photographer. And my younger siblings hold jobs as a floral designer, CEO of an ethanol company, teacher, and attorney. We represent a wide range of professions using gifts of creativity, leadership, teaching, and more. We are all happy in our jobs. I am thankful for parents who allowed us to follow our passions and pursue occupations that fit us, our talents, and our skills. That seems the key—focusing on God-given gifts to find fulfilling work.

And those needn’t be paid jobs. I think of the many moms and, yes, dads, too, who care for their children and manage households full-time. Their work is no less important than that of a paid employee.

Yet, even if you’ve found a job fueled by your passions, there’s no guarantee you’ll feel consistently happy. I don’t need to tell you that. Difficult bosses, too much responsibility, too little time, and lots more can leave you feeling stressed, exhausted, and overwhelmed. It takes courage to speak the truth in kindness, to address stressors in the workplace. Even if you take your concerns to the right people, you still may not be heard. But it’s the right thing to do rather than return home each evening to grumble and complain about the job you hate.

Sometimes job discontentment requires re-framing thoughts. If you consider your job as a blessing from God and as a way to serve Him, then you can begin to shift negative attitudes into positive. Paul writes in Colossians 3:23 (NIV), Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men. The Lord wants you to find happiness and satisfaction in your work (Ecclesiastes 3:12–13).

What about volunteering at church? If you take on faith tasks out of obligation, then you are serving for the wrong reason. Just as talents should guide you to employment that fits you, so your talents should guide you to specific places of service within your faith family. For example, when asked to read Scripture during worship services, I’ve declined. Getting up in front of crowds causes me anxiety. I’d much rather work behind the scenes in ministry. I’m good at connecting one-on-one, at listening, and helping people individually. You wouldn’t want me in the church choir. I can’t read a note or carry a tune. But I can write and take photos. And I’ve used both gifts in ministry, paid and unpaid.

How about you? Do you agree to whatever you’re asked to do in church? Or do you pause, pray, consider, and then decide if your gifts are geared to a particular area of service? It’s Okay to say no. It’s Okay to pursue aspects of ministry that match your talents. Paul writes in Romans 12 that we all have different functions in the body of Christ. And that’s a good thing. Just like in the workplace, we need people with an array of skills, of God-given gifts. Imagine if I joined the church choir....

Audrey Kletscher Helbling has worked with images and words throughout her adult life. Before that, growing up on a Minnesota crop and dairy farm, she learned the value of hard work through daily barn chores and field work. De-tasseling corn as a teen for several summers ranks as her most challenging job. She can regale you with stories about corn leaves slicing skin, overwhelming heat and humidity, and exhausting hours of yanking tassels from corn plants, all for $1.25 an hour.