How to Thrive in the Workplace
Here’s how to thrive in the workplace. The glory of God can be experienced in a powerful way in any workplace if you are following these seven kingdom principles. By Kim Howey.
Is God in Your Workplace?
Have you ever wondered if God is in your workplace? If you’re there, then, yes, He is! As hard as it may be to believe, I have found that the glory of God can be manifested and experienced in a powerful way in the workplace, even in a non-Christian environment. In my experience, God’s love is unyielding when His people are willing to practice kingdom principles wherever the soles of their feet take them. His kingdom order can be experienced and enjoyed by everyone around you through your obedience to seek first His kingdom and righteousness at work.
Genesis 39:2-5 KJV “And the Lord was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian. And his master saw that the Lord was with him, and that the Lord made all that he did to prosper in his hand. And Joseph found grace in his sight, and he served him: and he made him overseer over his house, and all that he had he put into his hand. And it came to pass from the time that he had made him overseer in his house, and over all that he had, that the Lord blessed the Egyptian’s house for Joseph’s sake; and the blessing of the Lord was upon all that he had in the house, and in the field.”
7 Ways to Thrive in the Workplace
1) Be submissive and obey your leaders
When you remain humble in your service to your leaders at work, those who witness your daily submission will be emboldened to act with humility as well. This transforms your blessing into their blessing as well! Hebrews 13:17
2) Manage your attitude and countenance and always be encouraging
Maintain a bright, positive attitude, and manage your countenance. If co-workers are complaining, discipline yourself to be the positive voice in the room. If others criticize you for having a positive outlook, stand your ground and remain un-opinionated about your co-workers. A great neutralizer for a negative attitude is to be a problem-solver who repairs an issue without needing recognition for it. Your encouragement can be the key to unlocking a safe environment for your co-workers to reach their greater potential. It is a fact that when we feel safe and we trust the people we work with, we flourish to greater levels of creativity! 1 Thessalonians 5:11, 21-22
3) Be Discreet
Follow a strict “No Bully/No Gossiping” rule! No matter how badly you want to join the crowd in hating the coworker/leader who irritates everyone, don’t fall into the gossip trap. You are well able to confront conflict with the intention of reconciliation without using passive-aggressive behavior or unforgiveness as a tool to manipulate a person’s bad behavior. 1 Thessalonians 5:14-15
4) Never Compare
Never compare yourself to your coworkers/leaders. Nothing halts your ability to thrive in the workplace like an outspoken spirit of poverty. Poverty is relentless in its message to tell you that everyone else has it easier than you, that if you only you had what they had you’d be happier, and that you’re more than or less than your counterparts. The spirit of poverty loves to isolate and divide a team of people simply by engaging you in a dialogue that includes dissatisfaction, discontentment, and lack. You will discover that never comparing yourself to others will eliminate fear-based suspicions that arise in our minds towards people we feel inferior or superior to. Hebrews 13:5
5) Be Humble
Because the favor of the Lord is upon you, it is your duty to carry the blessings of God responsibly. God’s favor should never be used to diminish others. Your leaders’ compliments should never be bragged about and boasted before others as a trophy but revealed by others as a product of your hard work and effort. Be humble. Serve first. Meet the need first. Problem-solve as a team and not as a one-man-show. 1 Peter 5:5, Genesis 39:2
6) Be reliable, On-time, and Consistent
Consistency builds credibility. Allow your credibility for excellent work, punctuality, and reliability be the evidence of God’s order and favor upon your life.
7) Manage Your Environment
An important contribution you can offer to your workplace is your ability to raise the level of order. Be clean, organized, and assign purpose to your things. Proverbs 31
Nourishment is inevitable when a team thrives through humility, reliability, and submission. The entire business prospers, staff health improves due to the atmosphere of trust, and competitiveness gives way to collaboration.
The favor of the Lord is upon you; carry the blessings of God responsibly. @kimberlyhowey #ThrivingInChrist #LiveYielded Click To Tweet
Kimberly is an adoptee from Seoul, Korea. She was abandoned at birth and adopted by an American family through Holt International Children’s Service. Kimberly is married to Pastor Mark Howey and together they have five children ranging in age from twenty-two years-old to eleven-years-old. Mark and Kimberly have ministered together as pastors of Today Church and Kimberly was a periodic talk radio host for One Jam Nation Radio. They’ve homeschooled their children for more than seventeen years and Kimberly is a supervisor in the children’s program for Tampa Palms Golf and Country Club where she serves the needs of over seventy-five school-age children.
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Great post! I love these practical and godly suggestions! It can be hard to bring God into our workplace and so easy to just go about our day and our responsibilities at work without giving God a second thought. But these mindset and attitude shifts are awesome suggestions. Thanks!!
Glad you liked it, Nicole! Kim is great! I hope you will give her a share on social media.
Thank you for contributing to the workplace conversation! When someone moves to a new home, losses a loved one, or goes through surgery, I have been blessed to bring in a hot meal or groceries to help them through their struggle. I never get tired of their reaction…”How’d you know what I needed right at the moment that I need it the most.” My reply is always the same…”I’m glad I could meet a need for you.” It’s a privilege to serve our co-workers on such a fundamental level…because at the end of the day…we all need a tangible touch from God. I love that God opens doors of opportunity in our workplace once we have established ourselves as a sound-minded co-worker.
“An outspoken spirit of poverty.”
That phrase is still vibrating in my head. Such a clear and present danger to avoid. Thanks for this great post!
Thank you for your participation today! I love how Biblical principles are what they are no matter where they are practices, perfected, and revealed. No matter who witnesses their power and beauty…they make everyone look twice! It’s in the second look that Love preaches an entire sermon….with and most times without me saying a word. It’s a beautiful process to behold. I am even more convinced that there is no environment known to mankind that can resist the presence of God! In regards to the Spirit of Poverty…nothing thrills me more than ignoring its voice and depriving it of any spoken expression! As far as I am concerned…I have everything I need and in Him is no lack! God Bless you, Michele!
Kim, I enjoyed this second look at the truth you presented originally. And “yes” to the resounding “no” to the Spirit of Poverty!
I love this! Thank you for writing. I don’t see enough biblical advice for women about work!
Thank you Helene, I agree. I love the subject matter. I am in awe of how many people from my workplace have approached me for wisdom, encouragement, mentorship, etc. not realizing that faith-based relationships could be so life changing. I love being the unexpected, pleasant surprise for my workplace.
Kimberly, great tips. And, regardless of their belief system, this is the type of employee most bosses are looking for. When you’re a good employee, it gives you the credibility to speak life into your co-workers. Thanks so much for sharing Kimberly and Kelly. ((hug))
Thank you, Brenda! You are so right about that! A good, solid work ethic is greatly appreciated in any workplace. My latest job performance evaluation was stellar…I scored above and beyond in every category. Promotion is inevitable when we are faithful to stay the course.
Agreed, Brenda. I’m thankful for Kim’s practical ways to touch lives and change an undesirable environment. Thanks for joining us. Many blessings, my friend.
Sharing this great post today! Sometimes we get so bogged down in doing that we forget to really thrive where that working and doing is happening. Love it. Thanks Kimberly and Kelly!
Thank you for sharing Christine! Thriving eliminates the crisis of being driven by self-motivated ambition. Passion for his presence in our workplace elevates the pain of craving man’s approval and liberates us to flourish in God-ordained favor. It’s a beautiful thing to feel God’s pleasure in our job performance! God Bless you!
Thank you for sharing Kim’s words, Christine! God is working in hearts where we can’t see. It’s our job to be responsible and allow His blessing to flow through us to others. Be blessed sweet friend!
No. 2 is my favorite – managing your countenance. It’s amazing what a difference a smiling face makes!
Thanks for sharing, Kimberly and Kelly!
Great to see you here, Crystal! That was one that pierced my heart! I needed a reminder for that one. It does make an amazing difference to have a pleasant countenance. I forget that others can see me all the time, and then I catch my expression in the mirror. 😉 I’m working on that! Leaving you with a virtual smile! 🙂
Thank you for sharing! That happens to be one of my favorites too. As you can imagine, as a mother of five children, I’ve said it often…”Change your countenance!” Having already helped four of kids transition through puberty…it’s an issue I was relentless with. Teenagers can be some moody…solemn…wishy-washy super-emotional people! Whew, I better stop while I’m ahead, but seriously, I am a huge believer that our outward countenance makes us approachable or Not. Thank you to all the believers who are unafraid to allow their whole-heart to be seen on their face! God Bless You!
Ummm YES to all of this… I may need to print this out and keep it handy in my desk drawer at work. The Lord has been faithful trying to teach me these lessons as I labor at a job I don’t love. I used to think I was failing being Jesus to them by not witnessing– but it does truly start with doing all the things she listed first– to be the light in all these simple ways and then others will want to know where that power comes from. ♥ Thanks Kelly for featuring Kimberly’s wise words!
Great to see you here! This could be a turning point, Heather. I pray God will illuminate opportunities for you to implement these truths in tangible ways.
Excellent post! While I am no longer in the work force, I believe these principles are valuable to practice in any place God puts you, ie, even volunteering in church, etc. Well done!
I agree, Cindy! They can be applied right at home.
So practical and grounded! Thank you!
Thanks for stopping by, Bethany!
I especially like the sum up- “Nourishment is inevitable when a team thrives through humility, reliability, and submission. The entire business prospers, staff health improves due to the atmosphere of trust, and competitiveness gives way to collaboration.” God’s Spirit will make Himself known!
Thank you Kelly for sharing over at the Warriors linkup!
You’re welcome, Liz! Great to see you here!
This is a really great website and post! Keep up the good work!