Coming from a Christian standpoint, I used to view happiness or job satisfaction as a result of my relationship with Christ. The closer I was to Him, the more happy or satisfied I was in life. I thought that happiness/satisfaction was a direct result of who I was in Christ. This viewpoint was insufficient. It lacked a mature understanding of life. The result was disillusionment or disappointment with God when my faith was strong but ‘bad’ things happened to me or my family. Over the years I have learned that life is tough (sometimes extremely tough) and my relationship in Christ doesn’t negate those experiences. They become opportunities for growth. I may not always like them. They may not be a reflection of my journey of faith. But I do mature in life and faith through them.
I have also come to understand that success at work is in a constant state of flux. My job satisfaction is grounded in who I am in Christ. It is about character, honor, integrity, etc. Difficult circumstances may invade my personal space but they are seen as opportunities for growth.
