What in the world was I thinking?

I’ve asked myself this question at work more times than I’d like to admit. Sometimes my inner voice groans after making an embarrassing mistake in front of my supervisor. What in the world was I thinking? And some days the voice dejectedly wonders why I naively pursued such a difficult job in the first place. What in the world was I thinking?

Big mistakes and small irritations both whisper a common thought to the discouraged employee: “You’re a failure at your job!” For me, the sting of this doubt only intensifies when I look around the office and see fellow employees casually enjoying success where I’ve only stirred up frustration and disappointment. They make work look so effortless; what do they have that I don’t have? How do they continually draw praise and promotions from our boss while I awkwardly crash and burn when the spotlight is on me?

If I’m honest with myself, these seemingly huge moments of failure at work can usually be traced back to an overinflated sense of pride. Too often, I believe that my worth and identity are defined by the affirmations I receive from others, or simply by how successful I feel throughout the workday. Because these factors and feelings are constantly shifting, I need to ground my confidence and self-worth in God’s unchanging Word.

Here are four Bible verses to strengthen your confidence when you feel discouraged on the job:

  1. Embrace your weaknesses.
    “My grace is all you need, for my power is greatest when you are weak.”– 2 Corinthians 12:9b (GNTD)
  2. Nothing can separate you from God’s love.
    “There is nothing in all creation that will ever be able to separate us from the love of God which is ours through Christ Jesus our Lord.”– Romans 8:39b (GNTD)
  3. Don’t dwell on past mistakes.
    “The one thing I do, however, is to forget what is behind me and do my best to reach what is ahead.”– Philippians 3:13b (GNTD)
  4. Every day is a new day.
    “The Lord’s unfailing love and mercy still continue, Fresh as the morning, as sure as the sunrise.”– Lamentations 3:22-23 (GNTD)