Latest / Grounded Growth / Faith at Work or in Business
Transcript
- Stephanie Petry: Welcome back. I'm Stephanie Petrie. Nicole Ghirardi: I'm Nicole Girardi. Stephanie Petry: We're going to continue our faith and everyday life series. Today we're talking about faith at work or in business. this episode, we will discuss why it feels hard to bring faith into work, what happens when we separate faith from work, what faith at work actually looks like, simple ways to live your faith at work or in business, and faith layer, of course, of working as unto the Lord. Nicole Ghirardi: We often treat our faith and our work like separate worlds. ⁓ One being on Sunday, somebody completely different on Monday. most women are not looking to preach at the office. They are longing to feel whole. ⁓ Like who they are on the inside matches how show up at work. So maybe the question isn't how to talk about our faith at work, but actually how to Stephanie Petry: Your there you go. Nicole Ghirardi: Show up and live it when we're there. Stephanie Petry: I think that ⁓ so like just to give you some background. So I work in a public school as a music teacher. And a lot of times you hear the horror headlines. and though there are things that I do need to be cautious of when it comes to my faith ⁓ teaching in public school, I am still able to very much be a light of Christ to my students and my staff. and they feel it in the way of my posture. They feel it in my speech, my reactions, my responsibility that I take, even of my shortcomings and seeking forgiveness. these are things that have been commented on with my but I know it's because I'm rooted in Christ. It's because I'm learning through these, these morals through the through scripture. ⁓ having confidence in Christ allowed for great conversations with some staff members this past year. ⁓ prayer requests from both staff and students. And even just ⁓ this was a huge blessing, but it was a monthly Bible study with teachers after school. And so I just I just want to encourage that, you know, it doesn't have to be this big elaborate thing, like it just kind of is Christ is flowing through you through your through your actions and reactions. I think many women quietly believe that. Faith belongs in personal spaces and not professional ones. somewhere along the way, we began to compartmentalize our lives instead of understanding that Christ is meant to shape all of it. sometimes we assume living faithfully at work means having all the right words or openly talking about Jesus all the time. That's not what I do. I don't openly talk about Jesus while I'm at work. ⁓ Believe or not, folks. but when often the strongest witness is simply just being deeply rooted in godly character, you you know, because then also like it's not genuine. Like if you're just preaching the gospel with every word you do, that's just not a genuine conversation either. so I that you just need to realize or find the balance too for yourself. Nicole Ghirardi: Right. Stephanie Petry: think another challenge is that work environments often reward hustle and independence and self-promotion. while our faith is pretty much the opposite, it teaches surrender and humility and dependence on God. Those two value systems can create tension. And I mean, and not even just in work, but in life in general, like that's that's tension of what the world is telling us to be and what Christ is expecting us to be. as women who care deeply about doing things well, ⁓ can slowly begin trusting in our own capabilities more than trusting God's provision. ⁓ before long, ⁓ work becomes something we carry of something that we're stewarding. Nicole Ghirardi: So true on that one. And I think that, you know, we also have that weird kind of like fear of judgment that keeps us quiet. That we worry about how we will be perceived. So we shrink back from being fully who ourselves are and be the people that they want us to be in the in the environment and in the office that they want us. and that fear often costs us a chance to be steady and grounded and a presence ⁓ for others ⁓ they that people are drawn to. ⁓ so I think we let fear really get the best of us in that and that just be who you are. And that's who God created us to be, and that's who we need to be versus being two different people. we also confuse living our faith with preaching it. Like Steph said, she doesn't talk about Jesus every minute of the day. ⁓ just it comes out by who we are as people. ⁓ so living our faith at work is far more about character than it ever is about the conversation you're having. People notice how we treat them long before they care about who we believe and what we believe. And that's something to really take into place, is that you don't have to talk about Jesus. You just have to have the character the ⁓ that we're supposed to carry as followers of Christ. And people are going to begin to see that and know and know that. ⁓ so with high capacity women, they typically feel the pressure to succeed on their own strength. ⁓ I know that in the environment at the insurance agency, I feel that 100%. and that was the season of hustle. ⁓ you know, and that you saw ⁓ you know, you were succeeding when you were in top of your numbers and hitting all of the things. And I slowly realized ⁓ not who I want to be. I was living to be somebody else. ⁓ that's really what changed me from last season to this season to really be able to find. That that drive to perform can quickly and quietly quietly push out the dependence on God that keeps us grounded. And that's what we need. We need to stay grounded in God. And we're He's gonna do the things that we need to do in life for our purpose and be able to, you know, succeed in how he wants us to succeed versus how the managers want you to hit a bunch of numbers. ⁓ there's a really good book. It's called The E Myth. ⁓ for all my business owners out there, it's it's an amazing book to be able to read, but it's from Michael Gerber. he says that working in the business pulls us into constant reacting, ⁓ faith is part of what pulls us back up to lead with purpose. ⁓ that's the biggest thing that I find is that, ⁓ know, I was living life for somebody else, ⁓ it wasn't God. Once I realized that I'm living life to follow Christ and be able to live my purpose, it completely changed my business and it made my business blossom to where it needed to be versus where everyone else wanted it to be. Stephanie Petry: So good. And I also think about like when we talk about being reactive instead of proactive, but also with a Christian mindset, not reacting but responding with faithfulness. and when we begin separating faith from our work. Nicole Ghirardi: Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm. Stephanie Petry: Something subtle starts happening internally. We may still be accomplishing things outwardly, but inwardly we begin losing sight of why our work even matters in the first place. Nicole Ghirardi: Absolutely. So when we separate faith from work, we start to feel divided and inauthentic. And that we're living as two different people. And that's exhausting. And the gap between them quietly drains us. And that wholeness comes from letting our work flow out of who we really are and who Christ made us to be. And so work really becomes only about the results when we separate it. And that is where we have to stop in that mindset because when faith is removed, success becomes the only scoreboard that matters. And no matter the amount of results ever fully satisfies the deeper longing for purpose. So we lose all sense of our calling. Work without meaning slowly becomes just a grind to get through and to make a dollar at the end of the day. And faith is what refrains our reframes our daily work as something that actually matters to God. so ⁓ that's separated like that, where we we are being those two different people, the stress really increases without a deeper anchor. And is our deeper anchor. And so when our identity is tied to only the performance, every setback to feel very personal. ⁓ And that you don't have If you don't have that anchor, the pressure has nowhere to land. that's where you have to be able to be the person you're supposed to be. ⁓ that ⁓ is our anchor and God is the one that is in control of our life and helps us through these processes. And if you separate them, I in my personal experience, I ⁓ lived two different lives. And that I didn't feel that I ever the person from work as I was the person at home and who I wanted to be. And we have to be able to commingle those and be the person we are and realize that in certain s situations, maybe we're just in the wrong place. Or maybe it's what is God teaching us in this moment for us to then be able to move on down the road. Stephanie Petry: Exactly the same way of keeping it completely separate. I've talked about in a previous episode, like my life was categories and I had every folder and color coded and it was cohesive with my calendar and my drive and my pins and my highlighters. Like I and I, you know, it it worked ⁓ it didn't. and ⁓ you even though I'm not openly talking about Jesus all the time in the public school. I do have reasoning for why I do what I do. And if someone asks me about why, you know, why are you not upset about blah, blah, blah, blah, blah. I said, well, then I'm able to talk about how like, well, my hope's not in my circumstance right now. This is temporary. And, you know, I know that, you know, Jesus has got my back. Like, I'm not worried about it. And or, you know, and I so I'm not afraid to talk about my faith either. And I think that what happened for me was Nicole Ghirardi: Uh-huh. Wow. Mm-hmm. Stephanie Petry: Not just my location of what school I ended up at this past year, but also my own maturity and faith. I think that those ⁓ allowed to have a boldness, a quiet boldness, but a boldness that was recognized as confidence. And it's not me being confident, it's my confidence in Christ. It's this assurance that I have. and so I think that that is. Nicole Ghirardi: Okay. ⁓ huh. Stephanie Petry: Honestly, if I had to put words to it, I think that's more what it's about, is that my surety is not in my work. my worth is not tied to my work. And I used to think that very much. all that is because of Christ who paid it all. And amen that. I think that when faith is absent from our work, striving usually takes over. So ⁓ I'm I'm referring to not necessarily as my workplace. I'm just talking about the things we do. Nicole Ghirardi: Okay. Stephanie Petry: and so I think that when we ⁓ have our faith absent from the things that we are doing, we our our striving takes over, our pride, our control, our you know, we begin believing that everything depends entirely on our own effort and ability to hold everything together. That's exhausting. ⁓ that was used to be my everyday. And and until you realize like, yes, you do have responsibility. Nicole Ghirardi: Ajá ⁓ Uh-huh. Stephanie Petry: But you are not the one that holds all things together. Thank the Lord. And it's just so freeing. ⁓ we can also slowly start attaching our identity to achievement, our worth to our works, our performance. Success makes us feel valuable. It does. And failure suddenly feels deeply personal instead of simply being a part of growth. Like when when we would fall flat on our face and we have failed, we don't look at that as just an opportunity of that didn't work. And here's why it didn't work, and let's move forward and not try that again. Like, and without an eternal perspective, work can also begin feeling transactional rather than purposeful. you are just going through the motions to get that paycheck. ⁓ and that's not a very great reason why. I mean, it is a Reason why we work is to get a paycheck, but it shouldn't be our purpose. Our purpose doesn't lie in our work, but the Lord does give us work on purpose. put that on a coffee mug. We stop seeing opportunities to serve others and begin viewing work only through productivity and performance. ⁓ I think many women are exhausted, ⁓ simply because they work hard, but because they are carrying the responsibilities that. Nicole Ghirardi: Mm-hmm. Ajá, ajá. Stephanie Petry: God never intended them to carry alone. ⁓ and you should listen to that podcast prior about friendships and community because that's that's where it lies. ⁓ when we stop seeing God as present in our work, burnout usually follows because we are never designed to build our lives around performance. ⁓ I learned this during the, you know, that pandemic. Nicole Ghirardi: Yeah. Stephanie Petry: Pandemic thing that happened in 2020 and teaching music to kids online. but I just remember never feeling like I was providing my kids with enough. And I was working so hard to try and make it fun and meaningful for them and try and to connect on screens. And I just remember every day I would have tears in my eyes, whoo, it's bringing them back. ⁓ And I would my laptop and I had a Post it on it and I just would say, Lord, help me believe that I have accomplished all that you've willed for me today and that that's enough because you're enough. I would go home and I'd have to leave it there because I could only do what I could do. And I had to trust him that it was enough and I was connecting with my kids. Whew. Nicole Ghirardi: I love that. I love it. I'm gonna steal that prayer too. and you know, and I think that we hone back into this is that it's not about being preachy ⁓ or being perfect. ⁓ it's about letting who you are on the inside shape how we show up on the outside. So what does faith really look like at work? Stephanie Petry: So, faith at work for me means that you're understanding that your work itself has value because God Himself created work before sin ever even entered the world. know, God gave Adam a job. He was to name ⁓ of the creatures and he gave him dominion ⁓ ⁓ and Eve. ⁓ so I just think that work was never meant to be a punishment, it was always part of purposeful living. Even prior to the fall of when Adam and Eve sinned, I think sometimes we forget that the way that we answer emails or lead meetings or teach students or serve customers, manage homes, run businesses can all become expressions of worship when we are doing them faithfully. ⁓ faith at work means that viewing yourself as a steward rather than the owner. You are stewarding what the Lord's provided. You don't own it. Nicole Ghirardi: Mm-hmm. ⁓ huh. Stephanie Petry: And that can be really strewed when you're a business owner. I'm a business steward. the gifts, the talents, the opportunities and influence that you have are ultimately entrusted to you by God. So are you using them faithfully? ⁓ it also means that understanding that your workplace may be the very place that God has assigned you to reflect his character through patience and humility, honesty, ⁓ and service. Nicole Ghirardi: ⁓ right. Mm-hmm. Stephanie Petry: So we often ask, God, how can you use me? when sometimes the better question is, how can I faithfully serve where God has already placed me? Nicole Ghirardi: Faith at work is also integrity when no one is watching. So our character in the small unseen moments is the truest picture of our faith. And that Integrity really builds the kind of trust that becomes the foundation of real influence. so faith at work is also excellence as worship. Doing our work well is one of the most genuine ways we honor God with our gifts. And you know, it's also how we treat people. The way we make people feel is the most lasting impression we leave behind. And it's kindness and the Patience are the quiet witness that does not require a single sermon. so that's just something to really think about. It's and you know, you're not being preachy, you're not being perfect, you're being who God created you to be. And, ⁓ know, we make impressions on people within 10 to 15 seconds. I I don't know, maybe one study was like in the first three seconds, you already have an impression of a person. Is that impression going to be, you know, of a hustler or is it going to be a daughter of Christ? And so, you know, we want to lead from peace instead of that pressure. So when our identity is anchored in God, we can lead steadily through stressful moments. And so, you know, ⁓ Kind of tying it to a business book because we're talking about work, as is, you know, my favorite book is James Clear, The Atomic Habits. And he says, Every action you take is a vote for the type of person you wish to become. Our daily choices at work are votes for the kind of leader who who we want to be and who God created us to be. Stephanie Petry: I was thinking of the Maya Angelo quote that she has. so I looked it up real quick. People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, ⁓ but people will never forget how you them feel. And I thought that that went really well with what you were talking about. ⁓ yeah. Nicole Ghirardi: Mm. Mm-hmm. One hundred percent. I like that quote. Stephanie Petry: So if faith at work is really about character and presence more than words, then the next question becomes how do we actually live that out in the middle of a normal, demanding work week? Nicole Ghirardi: Well, I've got some practical ways. So these are kind of things that I have implemented is one is starting your work day grounded in prayer and scripture. And that I think that is, you know, the few quiet moments before the day begins to like really set your heart before ⁓ I'm gonna repeat that ixnade that sentence. A few quiet minutes before the day begins sets your heart before the demand set it for you. And that is why we really hone in and recommend having that time first thing when you wake up. ⁓ roots framework builds in space for silence, reflection, and scripture before the day starts pulling at you. I know with me is that ⁓ I when go into the office versus working from home, that I spend a little bit extra time when I actually get into the office and in my seat and spend some time with reading a scripture. ⁓ And really just praying for the day to not let pride and my hustling come into play and really bring back into honing in that God is a center ⁓ that I need to focus my time and values on that. lead with integrity in the small decisions. ⁓ Faith up most in tiny choices no one else ever sees. So each honest decision builds the kind of character people learn to trust. ⁓ another good one is is treating every person as someone who matters. ⁓ I mean, I feel like that's going back to basics. but you know, it's it's being the person that you're supposed to be. A ⁓ hello, ⁓ eye contact. patience can change the entire tone of a room. people remember how you made them feel far longer than what they what you've ever accomplished. And that is especially for salespeople, I feel like that is something you really have to hone in on because we are pushed to sell, sell, sell, sell, sell and move on. you know, we talked about relationships and friendships in the last podcast. And I feel that ⁓ where you have to dive deeper and you really have to to really hone in on that. That you ⁓ they're not gonna remember what ⁓ you were top three of whatever it is. ⁓ They're gonna remember how they felt around you. And that is where you can't push and you can't pry and you can't, you have to build and that go deep down. And that's where the God's characters is really trying to pull out of you and really connect with that person. and then last is is doing your work with excellence without striving. so aim for excellence as an offering, not as way to prove your worth. And so, you ⁓ With another quote from the Atomic Habits is you do not rise to the level of your goals, you fall to the level of your systems. So build those rhythms and routines that that let you work from peace instead of pressure. So if it's a timer on your phone that you need to have take a break and to be able to say a quick prayer or say a verse throughout the day to bring you back to who God wants you to be, then do it. Or if something triggers you and like you have to be able to build that habit of bringing yourself back. it's a hard thing to do, ⁓ the consistency of it will really bring you back into who you truly are versus having to to separate the two. Stephanie Petry: Okay, sorry, I'm pulling up a couple of things as you were talking. It made me think. One of the most important things that I have learned is to begin each workday by remembering who I belong to before remembering what I need to accomplish. Identity must come before productivity. ⁓ a couple of those, yes, the Roots journal. I'm glad you said something about that and just being in God's word. but another ⁓ one I wanted to share with you was it's called Word Before World. and it's from Well Watered Women. the Well Watered Woman, sorry. Nicole Ghirardi: Uh-huh. Stephanie Petry: And it's by Gretchen Soffels, and she's fantastic. if you haven't checked out her ministry. and then one that I just got for my husband at conference is the word before work. ⁓ and it's a Monday through Friday devotional to help you find purpose in the work God has called you to. ⁓ And one is by Jordan Raynor. and I think both of those are a very great way to kind of just sit and start your day with a devotion ⁓ roots. Nicole Ghirardi: Mm. Stephanie Petry: Is more getting you into God's word and you are reflecting on what the word says. ⁓ so either way, we just want you in God's word first thing in the morning. That's really what we want. and building of surrender throughout your day. ⁓ so pause before major decisions. Remind yourself that wisdom does not come from the constantly reaching, but from staying connected to the Lord. it is for me to remember to pause in the middle of my day. Nicole Ghirardi: Mm-hmm. ⁓ Stephanie Petry: ⁓ and sometimes like I'll joke and I'll be like, ⁓ my gosh, need a I need a human moment. Like cause we're just constantly going. And know, and it's not necessarily like going through the motions per se. ⁓ with with me teaching music, but like I'm going, I you know, I'm teaching kindergarten for an hour and then first grade comes strolling in. It's like a revolving door. And next I know it's like I get a half hour lunch and then moving on to fifth grade. Nicole Ghirardi: Yeah. Stephanie Petry: So, like my brain is constantly moving forward and constantly on to the next. That I'm like, ⁓ I just need a human moment for a second. I need to breathe. I need to remind myself that I need to reset sometimes. practice stewardship instead of ownership. Instead of carrying work anxiety anxiously, remind yourself that God has entrusted this responsibility to you, but that he remains sovereign over the outcome and the steps to get there. Nicole Ghirardi: Mm-hmm. ⁓ Stephanie Petry: so you can come to him about those steps. You can come to him about the outcomes. starting, start to view interruptions differently. This one really changed how I build relationships in my workplace. so every time I'm interrupted, because I also time block, and anytime my my time blocking got interrupted, I'm not gonna lie, I'd be a little irritated. ⁓ However, I needed to look at those interruptions differently and see them as opportunities. So sometimes the most important kingdom work happening during your day is not the task on your to-do list, but it's the person standing directly in front of you. And it's an opportunity to connect. and whether you run a business, work outside the home, stay home with children, or serve in a ministry, every role becomes meaningful when we stop chasing success and we start pursuing faithfulness. Nicole Ghirardi: And at the heart of all of this is one simple truth that changes how we see our work entirely. And this brings us to our verse for the podcast. ⁓ this is from Colossians ⁓ chapter three, verses 23 through 24. ⁓ Whatever you do, work heartedly as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ. Because ultimately our work is never simply about the paycheck, the recognition or the results. It is first an offering to God. Stephanie Petry: And I think one of the most freeing truths especially about the scripture is we can understand that faithfulness matters more to God than visible success. the world measures results, but God consistently looks at our obedience, our obedience, our faithful obedience. ⁓ When we truly working unto the Lord. Comparison starts losing its power because our standard is no longer what everyone else is building. ⁓ our focus becomes simple faithfulness with what God has entrusted to us. We tend to overcomplicate things. We tend to overthink things. And sometimes it's just going back to that that that faithful next step. I think work becomes far less ex exhausting. When we stop trying to prove our worth through performance and we remember that our worth was already secured through Christ fully, completely, period. The end. God has given us each gifts talents, influence and opportunities, not simply to build our own success, but ultimately to reflect his glory through how we serve others. And whether someone sees your work or not, whether you receive recognition or not. ⁓ God sees faithful stewardship. Whew, that's a hard one. And that's one that I also need to preach to myself. Because the more that you are pouring into faithfulness, the more that you are pouring into and leaning into God and his word, the more you're going to see his fingerprints in your life. It's not about what you're accomplishing or even spiritual maturity that you're growing in sanctification. It's not even about that. It's just about are you devoted to are you devoted to the king of the universe? Are you are you pouring yourself out for the sake of Christ? And you know, there are and there's just this incredible peace in remembering that his approval is already enough. You're not doing it for approval of anybody. You're doing it because Christ gave his life for you. Nicole Ghirardi: Yeah. Stephanie Petry: That's why we even work. I mean, our our our work is it's not to dictate our faith, it's to demonstrate it. it's important for us to realize that once we start doing that, once we start having the focus be Christ, that you're gonna be able to see so many opportunities to grasp onto and it's gonna continue to grow you. Because how else are you going to know what to look for unless you are in his word communing with him every day? And then you're going to be able to see those ways that you're reaching for him for strength and that you are relying on him for some peace or self-control in that conversation. Or you're able to see this opportunity with this person in front of you as an interruption, as an opportunity. And so I think just one of the greatest mindset shifts. is moving from I need to accomplish blank today to Lord, help me be faithful with what you've given me today. Nicole Ghirardi: I love that. I love that one. And work becomes worship when it's offered to God. So the same task feels completely different when we do it for the Lord rather than the applause. And that as onto him gives purpose to even the most ordinary parts of our day. And you know, it's just really that is what lets us work from that peace instead of the pressure of everything going on in our in our work life and our home life. ⁓ Stephanie Petry: Mm-hmm. love to do a whole series on peace. I think that it's it it's miscommunicated a lot or misunderstood of what does it look like, what does it feel like, what does it sound like? ⁓ I think that that would be a really great series. and when we begin seeing our work as worship and our identity as secure in God, it changes not just how we work, but why we work at all. Nicole Ghirardi: Mm-hmm. And so wrapping this podcast up for this episode up, wrapping this episode up, ⁓ we just kind of want to leave with a few things. This is start your day by giving your work to God. A simple morning prayer can reframe your whole day before it even begins. You don't have to carry the day alone when hand it over first. ⁓ You do not have to between faith and ambition. So ⁓ God can use your drive, use your gifts, and work real purposes. So ambition anchored in faith becomes a force for good ⁓ rather than a source of remember, influence grows through consistent character. The quiet, steady way you live earns a trust that words alone never could. People are drawn to peace, and peace is something your faith can provide for you. last but not least, peace grows when your work flows from who you are. Wholeness comes from being the per same person in every part of your life. When faith and work come together, then striving softens it into a purpose. Stephanie Petry: Mm-hmm. And I want to encourage you that your work matters far more than you do think. not because of what you accomplished, but because God cares deeply about how you steward what he has placed in your hands. remember, you are not working for approval. You ⁓ are from the approval that you already have in Christ. You do not need a ministry title or a platform for God to use your work for kingdom purposes either. Sometimes faithfulness in ordinary places is where God's glory shines most clearly. The goal is not building a life that simply looks successful from the outside. The goal is becoming women whose work reflects the character of Jesus in every environment we walk into. Success in God's economy has never been about doing the most. It has always been about being faithful with what he has entrusted to you. And that wraps up faith and work. Next week we have a really special conversation because I think that wrapped up our whole series, right? Yeah. Nicole Ghirardi: Hmm. Yes. This yes, this is the end of our series. Stephanie Petry: Okay, so we're moving on. We're gonna have like a little transitional ⁓ episode for you next week before we hit our next series. So next week we're gonna sit down with a special guest. and her name is Brianna, and she's a dear sweet sister. ⁓ she's gonna talk about leaving what you knew, faith, identity, and rebuilding from the ground up. And a little spoiler alert, she left the Mormon church. Because Jesus called her. because sometimes God calls us into completely unexpected seasons and learning to trust him ⁓ changes everything. So please, please, please, please come back next week ⁓ so that you can meet our beautiful friend Brianna. Nicole Ghirardi: See you later. Stephanie Petry: Yeah.