I work for a property management company that oversees retail space. I haven’t been doing this very long, but I’m finding that I’m not as productive as I’d like to be. Often, entertainment and fear of failure keep me from working. How can I get motivated to use my time better?
Given that we’re to submit to our earthly masters with sincere hearts as unto Christ (Eph. 6:5), our productivity at work isn’t ultimately about our advancement or our employer’s success—it’s about our gospel witness.
From before the fall, God ordained our work for keeping, cultivating, subduing, and exercising dominion over his creation. We’re still called to that today in any work to which we set our hand—including the property management of retail space. As believers, all work invites us to leverage our God-given talents and strength to bless and bring order to God’s creation in order to glorify him.
When alluring distractions or a fear of failure hinder our labor, we can turn to him who calls us for the truth that will rightly spur us on.
Distraction of Entertainment
When entertainment distracts us from working, we should start by counting the cost. If we’re spending work hours on entertainment and then have to finish our tasks in what should be our free time, what else is this keeping us from stewarding well? It may be infringing on our time for relationships, spiritual disciplines, or true rest.
On the other hand, if our working hours are fixed regardless of how on (or off) task we are, such as a job we clock in and out of with responsibilities only while we’re present, why are we willing to steal from our employer by accepting their payment without exchanging it for the labor we promised? Maybe we need to “cut off” what’s tempting us by blocking entertainment apps on our phone and computer during the workday (Matt. 5:30).
If we’re spending work hours on entertainment, what else is this keeping us from stewarding well?
Once we do, how might we instead faithfully devote that time to our employer’s good, even being willing to go a mile beyond what’s expected of us (v. 41)? Maybe we provide the talking points requested for a presentation—but also organize them into slides to save someone else from having to do so. Maybe we address the three issues our leader ask us to correct—but also address two more we discovered in the process.
Perhaps if we worked with this level of diligence and care, like Joseph with Potiphar, we’d be given increased responsibility and influence that could be leveraged for the kingdom. Those who can be trusted with little can also be trusted with much (Gen. 39:1–6; Luke 16:10). Certainly, God would be glorified as we work with all our heart as to the Lord and not to man (Col. 3:23).
Fear of Failure
When a fear of failure keeps us from working altogether, we can start by digging out the root of that fear.
Do you fear that your limitations and propensity to error will keep you from succeeding? Acknowledge that inaction guarantees you won’t succeed, but attempts to succeed in the work God has entrusted to you allow the opportunity for his power to be made perfect in your weakness (2 Cor. 12:9).
When you feel discouraged by your insufficiencies, trust God to provide the wisdom and strength necessary for the work to which he’s called you—by prayer (James 1:5), the edification of his Word, and your humble pursuit of correction and growth through helpful resources and the example of others.
Do you fear others’ judgment when you fail? Remember that your purpose is ultimately to please God, not man, and that there’s no condemnation for those in Christ (Rom. 8:1; Gal. 1:10). When you make a mistake or fall short of what’s expected of you, admit your error, seek understanding about what to do differently, and move forward with the humility and resolve that may make others respect you even more than they did before.
Trust God to provide the wisdom and strength necessary for the work to which he’s called you.
Do you fear your identity being shaken because it’s dependent on your perfection in the workplace? Realize you’ll never be perfect at your work but that God’s grace is sufficient for your inevitable shortcomings and mistakes. Your identity is securely anchored in his perfection, not your own.
You may see your paralyzing fear as a safety measure holding you back from failing. But how might your inaction be holding you back from succeeding? How might the Enemy be using that fear to steal your motivation, kill your endurance, or destroy your confidence in God’s promise to empower you?
God has called us to be faithful stewards of all he has entrusted to us—investing our gifts and opportunities in efforts to multiply them rather than burying them in fear, thus proving ourselves to be good servants who will enter the joy of our master (Matt. 25:24–30). In all he has called us to undertake, our success will come not by our might nor by our power but by his Spirit (Zech. 4:6). In this we hope. For this we labor. By this we persevere.
Work as God’s Workmanship
Rather than wandering off into distraction or stalling on the path in fear of failure, we’re called to walk forward in the good works God prepared beforehand for us (Eph. 2:10). As we do, God may use our example to spur on coworkers, encourage leaders, or even compel the friends and family who witness our work to do the same with their own.
In this way, we can take up the invitation to reflect our Lord, working with God-given courage and strength in all our labor, glorifying him who labors for us as we do.
The Gospel Coalition