Do you ever feel like you’re one mistake, misunderstanding, or awkward interaction away from getting fired? Maybe things are fine but you’re still overthinking your boss’s actions and your interactions with others in the office.
For women with ADHD, ASD, AuDHD, or other neurodivergent experiences, Rejection Sensitivity Dysphoria is very real. American psychiatrist, Dr. William W. Dodson, coined the term and it’s defined as extreme, sudden, and overwhelming anxiety triggered by real or perceived rejection, criticism, mocking and what can feel like failure. This contributes to workplace insecurity and rumination on various topics and the one we’re talking about today is the fear of getting fired. If you’ve lost a job before, you may be especially worried about it happening again.
Here are three biblical truths that can help you build confidence in job security rooted in God, and greater peace while you work, instead of striving to prove yourself. Let’s go!
1. No One Can Close a Door God Opened
“For the Lord Almighty has purposed, and who can thwart him? His hand is stretched out, and who can turn it back?” Isaiah 14:27
“I know that you can do all things; no purpose of yours can be thwarted.” Job 42:2
“Who can command things to happen without the Lord’s permission?” Lamentations 3:37 NLT
In Merriam-Webster’s dictionary, “thwarted” means prevented from achieving a plan, goal, or desire.
God’s plan cannot be destroyed. If God gave you that job and wants you to stay at that job, what he says goes. God is in charge, and no one can override what he has decided or what he has blessed.
Whether you’re doing well at work or struggling, you can trust God with your circumstances. When you’re worried about your job status, remember that your employer isn’t sovereign over your life. God is.
ACTION ITEMS
- Write two of the scriptures above on index cards. My pick: Lamentations 3:37 NLT and Job 42:2.
- Read these scriptures when you begin to panic or ruminate about losing your job.
2. God Will Always Provide
25 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? Matthew 6:25-27
You’re not strange for being concerned about one day losing your job. No one wants this to happen—because not only does it say, we decided that we don’t want you to play with us anymore, it also says we’re taking away your means to cover living expenses and maintain your lifestyle. But Matthew 6:25–34 reminds us that God knows what we need and he provides for those needs. Jesus points to the birds of the air and the flowers of the field as reminders of God’s provision and care.
28 “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? Matthew 6:28-30
It’s not employers who provide. It’s not even ourselves who provide. It’s God who provides.
31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Matthew 6:31-33
So we actually never have to worry, ruminate, overthink, or be anxious about ever getting fired. We can trust God to provide for us whether we are employed or unemployed. We do however, need to instead of worrying, prioritize what God prioritizes—his kingdom (the family of believers) and his righteousness (his wisdom and instructions in the Bible from Genesis to Revelation). More on that in the third lesson.
ACTION ITEMS
- Memorize Matthew 6:26, which reminds you of your value to your heavenly Father
- When you see a bird, use it as a reminder to recite the scripture
- Personalize the verse by asking yourself, “Am I not much more valuable than they?”
3. Work Wholeheartedly for Jesus
23 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, 24 since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. Colossians 3:23-24
The last part of Jesus’ message in Matthew 6 about not worrying brings us to our third lesson. As we reviewed, Matthew 6:33 tells us to seek first his kingdom and his righteousness. One of the pieces of wisdom and teachings from the Word of God that became a lesson for me about the fear of getting fired is Colossians 3:23-24.
It didn’t say be perfect at work, it said work at it with all your heart as working for the Lord, not for humans. We’re serving Jesus. Basically, do your best for God because you’re grateful for what he has done for you. I had to realize that I needed to pay very close attention to this. I realized that as long as I’m putting my heart into my work for Jesus, my heavenly boss is pleased and I have nothing to worry about.
When rejection sensitivity makes you question yourself, remember that doing your best doesn’t mean being perfect. You can work with integrity without exhausting yourself trying to prove that you belong.
Approach your work with a heart that wants to honor God, not securing your boss’s or other people’s approval.
ACTION ITEM
- Pray before each workday about working for Jesus and why you’re doing it
TAKEAWAYS & ACTION ITEMS
- No one can shut a door God has opened. Write down scripture and reference it when you feel panic about losing your job
- God is my Provider. Memorize Matthew 6:26 and remind yourself of your value to God
- Work for the Lord with all your heart. Take time before work to pray about working for Jesus and why you’re working for him
Let’s discuss!
Have you ever struggled with rejection sensitivity or the fear of getting fired?
Which of these three lessons from the Bible would help you trust God more with your job status? Share your thoughts in the comments. I will reply!