It took every ounce of strength I had in me not to walk into my office and slam the door behind me. I couldn’t believe my boss had said that to me!  I felt as if all my efforts, all my gumption, all my “extra-mile” moments had just been flushed down the corporate restroom and all I could do was collapse into my swivel chair in defeat.

Anyone who has ever worked knows that there’s no such thing as the perfect job. Even the best jobs still have moments of frustration, and somehow even the worst jobs still have moments of satisfaction. But what happens when you don’t like (or even hate) your job? Is it even possible to honor God, much less find joy?

I’ve been working pretty much nonstop since I was 16, many times holding two jobs (or more) at once. I’ve worked with Christians and non-Christians, in large companies and small businesses, for male and female bosses alike.

There have been many, many situations that were less than rosy, but God has still shown me a piece of Himself even in the most demeaning of cubicles. So here are:

Five tips to honor God at work even when you don’t like your job.

1.  Find joy in your work, not in your job

Many people incorrectly assume that work is a punishment – a result of the fall  of man. But the truth is, God commanded man to work before sin entered the world. (Gen. 2:15) Work is a privilege. It’s a way to partner with God, to fulfill your purpose, and to make the best use out of one of God’s creations (you!)

2.  Work small jobs in big ways

In the Parable of the Talents, Jesus tells about three different workers who each received different amounts of money to invest while their master was away. Most people focus on the last worker, the lazy one, who buried his talent and didn’t do anything with it. But there is a valuable lesson in the first two workers as well. Even though the first worker ended up with ten talents and the second worker with only four, they were both praised because they did the best with what they had. Your job may not seem as exciting as the CEO’s, and your resources may not be as extravagant, but you can still do a great job with what you have and where you are now!

3.  Focus on the eternal, not on the temporary

You don’t have to work at a church or a ministry to maintain an eternal perspective. Any time you work with people, there is opportunity for God to do something eternally significant. (John 6:27) Many times, it’s not the job itself that is difficult; it’s the people you work with. But when you start seeing your demanding boss as someone who needs Jesus or your frustrating customers as people who need to experience the love of God, it makes it easier to find significance in your job. God might have you in the midst of the vocational lion’s den simply so that, through you, others may see Him.

4. Invest in rest

Never underestimate the value of quality rest. God rested after creation. He established the Sabbath Day as a day of rest for His people. And even Jesus withdrew from the crowds frequently to get alone and rest in the presence of His Father. You need rest too. Resting allows you to recharge and be more productive in the long run. So work like the dickens while you’re “on the clock,” but rest guilt-free when you can.

5.  Praise God for your job

Finally, remember that your job, no matter how crummy, is still a blessing from God. It may not pay enough, but it pays something. It may be difficult, but it’s not impossible. It may not be your dream job, but it could be teaching you something you need for your future dream job. So start thanking God for your job, for the people you work with, and for the benefits your job provides. The simple act of thanksgiving will make your job more enjoyable.

Now, get back to work, and have a wonderful, God-honoring week!

Do you have any other tips? How do you honor God at work even when you don’t like your job?