When work is a lions den

Work is where most of us spend the bulk of our week—and honestly, it can be one of the hardest places to keep our faith front and center. Between demanding bosses, gossip-filled breakrooms, and coworkers who just plain wear us out, it’s easy to feel like we’ve got to leave our faith at the door just to make it through.

But here’s the thing: our workplace has a way of revealing what’s really in our hearts. Do we match frustration with frustration—or can we respond in a way that looks different, that points people back to Jesus?

As you work through yet another week (whether that’s in an office, at home, or anywhere you interact with people), here are a few simple but challenging reminders to help you carry your faith with you.

Remember: People Are Image-Bearers

First things first: every single person you interact with is created in the image of God. Every. Single. One.

That truth changes how we see people. It reshapes how we respond to the boss who pushes too hard, the coworker who gossips, or the teammate who drives us crazy. Forget this truth, and it’s easy to slip into gossip, resentment, or passive aggression. Remember it, and suddenly we’re reminded to lead with dignity and respect—even when it’s not given back.

Resist Gossip and Choose Trustworthiness

Gossip can feel like harmless venting, but Scripture reminds us it’s anything but harmless:

Proverbs 18:21

The tongue can bring death or life; those who love to talk will reap the consequences.

Gossip erodes trust. It divides teams. It pulls us away from love.

One of the most powerful ways you can stand out as a believer at work isn’t through a big speech—it’s simply by being the person who doesn’t gossip. When others realize you won’t trash someone else behind their back, you become trustworthy. And that kind of quiet integrity opens the door for deeper conversations about faith.

Hold to Your Values (Even When It Costs You)

Scripture gives us example after example of people who stayed faithful when the world around them pushed them to compromise. Daniel refused to worship the king and was thrown into the lion’s den (Daniel 6). Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego wouldn’t bow to the golden statue and ended up in the fiery furnace (Daniel 3).

Their stories remind us that integrity sometimes costs us—but it also creates the stage for God’s faithfulness to shine. In a workplace culture that often rewards cutting corners, honesty and consistency are louder than any sermon we could preach.

Go the Extra Mile

In Jesus day- a Roman soldier could demand that someone take their heavy pack and carry it for up to a mile. 

Jesus takes this corrupt practice and uses it as an image to show us who we’re meant to be in our world. 

Matthew 5:41

“If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two.”

Jesus is telling us to show a surprising and undeserved generosity even in the face of unfair circumstances.  

At work, going the extra mile might look like offering help when it’s not required, extending grace when someone drops the ball, or choosing peace when you’d rather snap back. Those small, counter-cultural choices are living testimonies of Christ’s love in action.

What Matters Most 

At the end of the day, who are we really working for? Paul puts it simply:

Colossians 3:23

“Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.”

Living out your faith at work doesn’t mean you have to preach in the breakroom or shy away from hard conversations. It means showing up differently—choosing respect, resisting gossip, holding firm to your values, and going the extra mile.

It won’t always feel fair. It won’t always feel easy. But it will always matter.

Matthew 5:16

“Let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.”

When we hold onto this perspective, our everyday workplace can become so much more—it can become our everyday ministry.

Want More?

Check out this weeks podcast! (Season 2, Episode 6)