Presented by Lauren Stibgen

You are not enough. You feel second to everyone else, and you just can’t seem to find your place at work. Feelings of being inadequate or left out are more common at work than we talk about. An AI overview of this, highlights that these feelings can negatively impact well-being and productivity, leading to loneliness, anger, shame, and even disengagement or turnover. This isn’t good for you as an employee, and it isn’t good for you if you are an employer either. What can we do when we or our employees feel disposed of?

Let’s consider Leah, the older sister of Rachel who was sought after by Jacob. We have already explored the jealousy of Joseph’s brothers. It started here—with their mothers!

Leah had weak eyes, but Rachel had a lovely figure and was beautiful (Genesis 29:17).

Jacob sought to marry Rachel and worked for seven years to earn her hand in marriage. What’s worse, after serving the seven years, he was duped into marrying Leah—not Rachel! You can read the entire story in Genesis 29, but Jacob works another seven years for Rachel. Leah bears many sons and a daughter for Jacob, and Rachel only two children—Joseph and Benjamin.

As we did for the bleeding woman, let’s place ourselves in Leah’s shoes. Culturally she would be the first to marry. The description of her isn’t much and her sister is described as beautiful. She likely grew up knowing she was not pretty like Rachel and then faced knowing a potential husband did not really want her. She was forced into the marriage by her father, Laban. Jacob was angry at her father’s deception but accepted her. However, she was never favored. She was easily dismissed—disposable. Her children were not as loved as the children of Rachel.

The sons of Jacob would become the 12 tribes of Israel. And ultimately a descendant of Leah—the easily dismissed wife—would come our savior and Lord, Jesus Christ. The opinions of man didn’t matter; God had a great plan for Leah.

Today our professional experience and expertise are always on display. From LinkedIn to TedX, to being a member of a coveted organization, if you aren’t on display, it can feel like you aren’t qualified for what is next professionally. Maybe it is a title or the way someone dresses at work. Perhaps you hope to attend meetings or a company offsite but weren’t selected.

Remember, like Leah, God has a plan just for you!