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In this episode...

What to Do When Rewards Don't Come

https://faithfulontheclock.com/what-to-do-when-rewards-dont-come

We’re taught that hard work yields reward. Episode 144 of Faithful on the Clock highlights what to do when it doesn’t.

Timestamps:

[00:04] - Intro

[00:47] - Invitation to set a foundation by reviewing Episode 139 on gratitude

[01:18] - Acknowledgement that not getting rewards can mess with our sense of justice, and that the brain’s reward mechanisms are part of what keep us motivated to work

[01:54] - Personal struggle as inspiration for the show; acknowledgement other listeners might be similarly struggling

[03:28] - Lesson from Habakkuk (and others) — anchor yourself in what God has promised rather than what has already arrived

[06:17] - Lesson from Noah — stick with the last instruction you have from God (even if you have to go into the Word to get it)

[07:47] - Lesson from Joseph — hold to the values and character God gave you, identify what values you’ll defend, and continue to foster excellence even if you’re in an obscure place; know that rewards can be bigger than what you expect for yourself

[09:31] - Lesson from the parable of the workers — don’t compare yourself; look for where else the reward might be to remember that God’s generosity is always present and active

[11:53] - Lesson from the parable of the talents — God’s expectation is simply that we try to steward well, not that we produce specific yields; remember He is more concerned with your faithfulness and give Him that when you have nothing else

[13:33] - Lesson from Elijah — acknowledge the small little gifts and mercies God puts on your path on the way to the bigger victory, and take rest when you need it

[15:32] - Practical strategies — be more direct about what you want and open lines of communication; increase your visibility where possible; practice altruism; and find what’s satisfying about your work process itself

[18:49] - Prayer

[19:40] - Outro/What’s coming up next

Key takeaways:

1. When you aren’t feeling properly rewarded, first ground yourself in the idea that God is the greatest reward we can have, just as He is.
2. The story of Habakkuk shows us that it’s OK to question what God is doing when we don’t understand and don’t have tangible rewards in the moment. Other stories from scripture, such as with Jeremiah, David, and Ruth, all show God’s servants lamenting but choosing hope before evidence (reward) arrived.
3. Noah’s story shows us the power of moving forward through a focus on the last instruction from God. He did not have quick resolution, but he was willing to obey according to what God had said. We can seek instruction from God through both prayer and the Word.
4. Joseph’s story shows us that reward is not necessarily limited to us. It can extend to others. He demonstrates the value of holding to values, character, and integrity even when we’re in obscurity.
5. The parable of the workers shows us that God’s grace is always working. Rather than comparing ourselves to others, we can look for where God is extending mercy and reward to those who genuinely need it, knowing He grasps love and what’s fair better than we do.
6. The story of the talents highlights that God is more concerned with our faithfulness and intent than whether a specific reward/outcome manifests. This means that, even if we aren’t getting rewards in the world like we expected, we still can come to God with confidence. Our rewards don’t determine access or worth.
7. In the story of Elijah, we learn that it’s OK to take small rewards and mercies as we prepare to continue to serve. We can rest up when it’s needed and allow God to restore us.
8. Practical strategies to use when you are not rewarded include being more direct about what you want, increasing your visibility, practicing altruism, and trying to identify what about the process of your work is rewarding.

CTAs:

1. Make a list of rewards you would like to get from your work. Note whether they are mostly material or intrinsic. How does each reward benefit or hurt you?
2. Look through the Bible to find a story of a servant of God being rewarded that resonates with you. Be specific about what you connect with. Find another story of reward that feels absurd. Be specific about what seems odd.

What’s coming up next:

Women don’t always feel confident entering leadership roles. In Episode 145 of Faithful on the Clock, coach Elaine Lankford helps women step forward into authority.

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