Killing Me Daily With This Job | Previous Challenge Entry

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TITLE: Killing Me Daily With This Job | Previous Challenge Entry
By Barbara Culler
02/01/21
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For seven long years on the job, I endured bullying from the boss, disrespect from those I supervised, and 16-plus consecutive hours laboring with no compensation. Those are just a few examples of the abuse my aging self endured during those years. Because of being alone in life, I knew that I would have to work for a living until the day I dropped dead -- which would be sooner than later due to my working conditions.

Endlessly searching for another position, I begged God to intervene but felt that He was ignoring me. My age and physical limitations seemed to point to the reason for all the rejections, until one day, a promising job prospect gave me hope.

A former co-worker and friend, Maggie, referred me to the facility where she worked as part of the hiring team. Although she was not present at my interview, Maggie promised that the job was mine and that the interview was just a formality. I thought that the process went well and anticipated the day to submit my resignation. I was miserable in my current employment and felt that this new job — with a Christian based company, was a God-led opportunity.

That was in September of 2017. I kept silent about my intent to quit, waiting for the official date of hire. Even so, the hope and joy of the pending release from the toxic work environment carried me through the roughest of days.

And the grueling days and hostile work environment continued. Two weeks passed, and no word from the company. My 62-year-old-self now included a broken soul and exhausted mind. I tried to contact Maggie, but she did not respond to my phone calls or texts. Eventually reaching her, she said they were still considering my job qualifications. Finally, one month later, I received the anticipated phone call. I did not get the job.

I was devastated and hurt. I truly believed that this was God’s will for me; how could He disappoint me so? Why did my friend deceive me and not bother to apologize? But you know what? God had a better plan for me than the job.

I expected to get hired on and was angry and upset that it did not happen. However, I did not expect what came to pass three miserable months later. God allowed me to retire. He was not ignoring me. He was preparing my heart and soul for what I needed to do to help myself walk away from the abuse.

Three years later, I’m still in awe at how God orchestrated the circumstances that enabled me to vacate the job bent on destroying my body, soul, and spirit. Trapped in the on-going work-victimization, I needed an income yet could not break free to work other employment. But God gave me the unspoken desire of my heart to not ever again need to work for a living. I could never have anticipated that, yet He knew all along what was best for me. And now I’m praising Him daily with my joy-filled song.

“In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.” Proverbs 16:9 NIV

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