Do you sometimes feel very out-of-place in your work environment? Because we live and work in a fallen world, we are often painfully reminded that as disciples of Jesus Christ, we just don’t fit in socially and culturally where we...

Did you ever think that an Old Testament saint could be a great role-model for you as a Christian in the marketplace today? I can assure you that Daniel is that man. We’re looking at workplace principles from the life...

Did you ever think that an Old Testament saint could be a great role-model for you as a Christian in the marketplace today? I can assure you that Daniel is that man. We’re looking at workplace principles from the life of Daniel. Consider this: 

Daniel was taken out of his comfort zone completely, away from familiar people and surroundings, into a different culture altogether.

When you go to work each day, you are likely to be leaving your comfort zone and entering a different kind of world. In writing to the church in Pergamum, Jesus said—through the Apostle John—“I know where you live—where Satan has his throne. Yet you remain true to my name” (Revelation 2:13a).  Pergamum was thoroughly pagan, and many Christians were martyred there.

The pagan gods may be a bit different today, but they are there:

The god of materialism

The god of success

The god of sexual pleasure

The god of any kind of pleasure

The god of “it’s all about me”

Our challenge is to remain true to the Lord even though we may work in Satan’s territory. Daniel—and his three faithful friends—were fully immersed in a pagan culture. They worked hard and succeeded in that society. But they did not accommodate their lifestyles or beliefs to the pagan world around them.   Their approach was obedient involvement. They stayed involved in the world, while at the same time remaining obedient to God and his principles.

This attitude is a big contrast to other Jewish exiles in Babylon recorded in Psalm 137:1-4:

By the rivers of Babylon we sat and wept when we remembered Zion. There on the poplars we hung our harps, for there our captors asked us for songs, our tormentors demanded songs of joy; they said, “Sing us one of the songs of Zion!” How can we sing the songs of the Lord while in a foreign land?”

Have you ever felt like a foreigner in your working world? Well, that’s because you are, if you’re a Christ-follower. This world is not our home. Peter wrote that we are aliens and strangers in this world.

But Jesus doesn’t want us to “hang our harps on the poplars.” He wants us to sing songs of Zion, even by the rivers of Babylon! A joyful spirit is one of the most powerful weapons we have, both to fight off the enemy, to sustain us—because the joy of the Lord is our strength—and to testify to the foreigners around us that we do have songs of Zion to sing! We have something to sing about!

As Christians in the marketplace, we face a continual challenge of walking that fine line between pursuing our careers and seeking success and being a strong witness for Christ where we work. Integrating our work and our faith is not the easiest thing to do, is it? The choices are not always black and white; the decisions are not always clear. And while we may not have gone to a foreign country and culture as a missionary, there are times when it sure feels like we’re outsiders, foreigners in a culture that is opposed to Christian principles.

The story of Daniel offers us some very important principles for workplace Christians. Let me point out some of the issues that Daniel faced which are not that far from ones you may have encountered.

Daniel was forced into a job he never chose nor ever wanted.

Daniel’s story begins on a very bleak note. He was taken as a captive—a slave—to another country. He had no choice. But even when evil seemed to be in control, God was actually working out his purposes. And through it all, Daniel kept a positive outlook.

Do you ever feel that you’ve been placed in a position you never aspired to? Have you ever felt trapped in your job or your company? If you find yourself in that kind of predicament, it’s easy for your attitude to go south very quickly.

Even if you’re in a job of your choosing, no doubt there are days when you still feel trapped—when you have dreams of running away, catching the next flight out to a far-away place! But it is exactly in these times that the real depth of your faith shows through. Staying positive and joyful in a place where you may not want to be is a sign of a Spirit-controlled life, and it is a strong testimony for the Lord.

Daniel had God-given talents and skills, which he had honed. He was a good steward of his gifts and opportunities.

God had endowed Daniel with a very bright and quick mind, and Daniel had taken that gift and made the most of it, even in a hostile environment. Paul wrote to Timothy, “For this reason, I remind you to fan into a flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands” (2 Timothy 1:6). Have you fanned into a flame the gifts and talents God has placed in you? It’s easy to just settle with getting by. But I’m often convicted that God expects me to take my gifts and make them better. You and I will be accountable for the stewardship of our talents and skills.

As Christians in the marketplace, we face a continual challenge of walking that fine line between pursuing our careers and seeking success and being a strong witness for Christ where we work. Integrating our work and our faith is not...

Fran had another unpleasant interaction with the administrative assistant in her department, Joyce. Joyce is usually sour and less than helpful, and Fran gets upset with her lousy attitude and work. But Jesus has prompted Fran to pray for Joyce and get to know her better.

Then, at the grocery store, Fran ran into Sue, a neighbor who has been living with a man for about a year. Sue was distraught because Ed has moved out on her, and she obviously wanted someone to talk to.

Although Fran had been looking forward to a quiet evening alone, Jesus urges her to invite Sue over, and not miss this opportunity to show her love and compassion. So, as she prepares supper for her kids, Fran dials Sue's number and invites her over.

Sue eagerly accepts, and Fran knows she has done the right thing. She spends time helping Drew with his homework, and Alice wants to tell her all about school that day. They read a Bible story together and have prayer, then she tucks them in.

Again she thinks, "Wouldn't it be nice to have the evening to myself. How I'd love to curl up and read a book tonight.” Jesus says to her, "I know you've sacrificed to invite Sue over, but you won't be sorry you did."

With that reassurance, the doorbell rings and Fran invites Sue in. She fixes a cup of tea with some of her homemade cookies, and they sit down to talk.

"So, Ed has moved out," Fran says to Sue. "Did you have a fight or something?"

"Just our regular fight. I want to get married, and he keeps finding excuses and delays. Finally I gave him an ultimatum and he moved out. I guess my mom is right—why should they buy the cow if the milk is free!” Fran and Sue chuckle nervously, as they get into this topic.

"Sue," Fran begins, "why do you think you're so upset over Ed leaving? Did you really love him that much?"

"Love," Sue says cynically. "Who knows what love is? Ed is the second man who has told me he loves me but left when it was time to make a commitment. I'm not sure you can find a man who wants anything more than sex."

"Yeah, you can," Fran replies, quietly.

"Oh, I'm sorry, Fran. I forgot about your husband. Too bad the good ones like him have to die young. I don't know how you stand living alone like you do. That's my problem; I can't stand being alone," Sue says. "I have to have a man!"

"I know the feeling, Sue, I've been there," Fran replies.

"Well, how do you cope with it?" Sue asks.

"Well, I cope, Sue, because I have Jesus. I would never have made it without his presence in my life," Fran is eager to share Jesus with Sue.

"I know you're very religious. I've never been really interested in church or anything. Do you think I'd do better if I started going to church? Maybe I could meet a better man there than at the bars," Sue says with a forced laugh.

"Well, it's not religion, Sue, it's a relationship," Fran responds, and with that, a long conversation ensues. Sue and Fran talk for a couple of hours about men and loneliness and singleness, and because she is hurting, Sue listens carefully to what Fran tells her about Jesus.

Realizing how late the hour is, Sue says, "Oh my goodness, I didn't mean to stay so long. But I sure do appreciate your invitation tonight, Fran. I don't know what I would have done—well, it has made a big difference talking to you. I feel like maybe there's hope for me. Maybe we can talk again soon."

"You know, Saturday I'm going to a concert at church. Would you like to join me and the kids?" Fran asks.

"Do you think I'd fit in? I mean…." Sue stammers.

"Of course you'd fit in. I'll pick you up at 6:30.” And with that they say goodnight. Fran stumbles into bed tired but happy and praying as she drops off to sleep that Sue would soon accept Je...

Fran had another unpleasant interaction with the administrative assistant in her department, Joyce. Joyce is usually sour and less than helpful, and Fran gets upset with her lousy attitude and work. But Jesus has prompted Fran to pray for Joyce...

Can you remember the last time someone wronged you? My guess is you can remember it very well, even if it happened years ago. But by God’s grace, we can be set free from the bondage and pain of wrongs...

Can you remember the last time someone wronged you? My guess is you can remember it very well, even if it happened years ago. But by God’s grace, we can be set free from the bondage and pain of wrongs done to us, if we are willing to follow some biblical principles.

The first is to do something good for the person who wronged you. Jesus taught us that principle, and though it seems very hard, it really is effective in lifting the burden and hurt from your heart. The second step I talked about is to humble yourself and be willing to turn it over to God and trust him to resolve as he sees fit.

Now, the third step is to:

Seek reconciliation.

Matthew 5:23-24: “Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.”

I know that it’s not always possible to be reconciled, but Romans 12:18 says: “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” Sometimes it is only possible to achieve partial reconciliation and you may need to set boundaries in reconciliation.

There is so much more to be said on this topic, When You’ve Been Wronged, and that’s why I’m offering a book by Erwin Lutzer, by that title, for a donation in any amount. I want to get this book into your hands if you’re struggling with a wrong done to you because I know it will help you.

If you would like to read the entire week’s message, click here to view/download the PDF.

What are some steps you can take to be set free from the bitterness and resentment caused by wrongs done to you? Here is step one:

Do good to the person who wronged you.

If you are willing to make this first step, to do something that requires you to make a personal sacrifice, it could begin the healing process.

Romans 12:14: “Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.”

Matthew 5:44: “But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.”

Speak well of them in private and public. No matter how troublesome they are, there is something good to be said. If not, just don’t say anything. Do not let the wrong this person has done to you cause you to sin. Do not disparage them to others. Don’t tell anyone you don’t have to tell.

I know this is hard; it goes against all your natural tendencies. But we are called—and empowered—to live above our natural tendencies, as disciples of Jesus Christ. Because of the Holy Spirit who lives within us, we can actually do good to someone who has wronged us, because we do it in obedience to the Lord and out of love to him. Then we trust the results to him. It’s not a manipulation technique to try to change the other person; it’s an act of obedience out of love for Jesus.

Are you willing to take that first step and actually do something good for the person who has wronged you? You will be amazed at how that will make a difference for you.

Humble yourself before God.

James 4:10: “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.”

1 Peter 5:6: “Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.”

It is humbling to give up your right for revenge, to give up your hurt feelings, to give up taking your pain out on others. But if you will humble yourself, then God won’t have to humble you, and he will lift you up—in due time!