“You all know I hate my job—I’ve spoken about it many times, but today, I want to thank God for it.”
I listened as a man in his mid-thirties shared what had happened at his workplace and why he felt led to share his testimony.
“…so there are a number of us treading this lane of don’t like my job… my body… my marriage… my family… my country, etc,” I silently mused to myself.
You see, over the last 18 months, so many things have happened in my life that I didn’t like. And sadly, I spent valuable time bemoaning my situation, so much so that I couldn’t even see the opportunity or any blessing in it.
Often, I was too ashamed to say it out loud for fear of being reprimanded. And rightly so.
So amid all my “I don’t like this… I don’t like that…” were hidden opportunities to learn, grow, innovate, and evolve.
If I only stop focusing on the speck, the seemingly negative and remember that if I’m in that situation, God ordained it before I was even created.
I’ve come to understand over these months that most of my perspectives are shaped by my experiences, which I’ve clung to as the blueprint for shaping my future.
A very wrong perspective!
Let me give you context, I have spent all my working career in finance-banking, fintech, a bit of edutech and projects. I understand all the intricacies of this industry (or at least I thought I did)…
But from the perspective of my home country, Nigeria, and mostly under African leadership structures.
Then I experienced a change that brought me into renewable energy (the next oil—please quote me), in a different country, working with nationals from different climes. I struggled to cope with all three changes:
- new industry,
- new work environment and culture,
- new leadership perspective and decision-making.
I complained more than I care to write about.
What I didn’t understand was that the discomfort was caused by neural pathways already enshrined in my mind, a way of doing things and understanding things that I didn’t want to change.
The truth is that change and discomfort were all very necessary to break me forth like a butterfly from its cocoon.
I accepted this reality after one full year!
I complained and struggled all through, looking for a way out, yet the whole change was meant for my growth, my good, and for me to evolve!
Don’t be like me, learn!!
Did you know that even our Lord and Saviour Jesus didn’t like His cross? Yet He still chose God’s will.
Mark 14:36 – “Father,” he prayed, “my Father! All things are possible for you. Take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet not what I want, but what you want.” (GNT).
Every one of us has a cup of suffering to go through. Take a moment and read that slowly.
Where are you now? What’s happening with or to you that feels so uncomfortable or painful? What have you been repeatedly complaining about?
The answer to your many goals, aspirations or prayers may come in a cloak you don’t appreciate.
Can you reappraise the situation, look again and search for the blessing in it?
Then focus SOLELY on that blessing, and thank God for it, again and again.
With the full understanding that you want and accept His will for you through this event.
My word for you today is “There is purpose in the discomfort. Don’t waste it”.
