When I was 21 years old, I was laid off from my research job at a think tank. It was my first “real” job, and I loved the issues I worked on and the people I worked with. To make things worse, I had just begun my 3-year MBA program and while this job didn’t pay much, it was enough to pay the bills and buy textbooks. But as the fiscal year turned over and the organization needed to save a few bucks, I found myself unexpectedly out of work. It was the first time I remember thinking about work, “It’s not supposed to be this way.”

That season was disorienting. That job mattered to me, and I thought I mattered to them. I didn’t know what was next, and I certainly didn’t feel like my work mattered.

This story from early in my career came to mind recently when I read Meryl Herr’s book, When Work Hurts: Building Resilience When You’re Beat Up or Burnt Out (which you can read an excerpt of here). Herr opens with her own experience of losing her job right before starting her Ph.D. program. The way she described sobbing on the floor, not knowing what to do next, hit me as I remembered my own experience. 

Throughout the book, Herr weaves together stories of real people facing real struggles—losing jobs, enduring toxic workplaces, dealing with business failures, and navigating uncertainty. Some of these struggles are timeless, but others feel especially relevant in light of the past five years. The workplace upheaval of the pandemic, the “Great Resignation,” and economic uncertainty have left many feeling disoriented in their careers. If you’ve felt stuck or discouraged in your work, you’ll likely find a story in this book that resonates with you, too.

Does My Work Even Matter?

One of the biggest objections I hear to the “faith and work” message is: How can my work matter to God when my work is awful?

This book tackles that question head-on. It speaks to those who feel like their work doesn’t have purpose—whether they’re underemployed, unemployed, or simply burned out. Instead of offering easy answers, Herr turns to the Scriptures for wisdom.

She draws from the Old Testament story arc of the Israelites after Jerusalem fell. Many were taken into exile, and some lived the rest of their lives in captivity. Yet, in time, God called his people back to rebuild the city walls. This perspective challenged me personally—I don’t usually turn to the Old Testament for encouragement about work (outside of Genesis). But Herr’s insights helped me see that God calls, leads, and equips his people to work in circumstances they never would have chosen.

If the Israelites could seek the flourishing of Babylon while waiting to return to Jerusalem, then surely we can work for the good of an employer, company, or industry that makes us feel out of place. As Herr writes:

When work beats us up, burns us out, or breaks our hearts, we also have a choice. We can flame out or rekindle our fire. Consistent with God’s plan for his people to be a light to the nations, Jesus told his followers to be the light of the world. We can’t be the light of the world when we’re overcome with work hurt.

Who Should Read ‘When Work Hurts’?

If you’re struggling to believe that your work matters to God, this book is for you. It’s also a valuable resource for pastors, counselors, or anyone in a position to support those wrestling with career challenges. While college students may benefit from its realistic view of work, I think it will be most impactful for those who have spent time in the workplace and have experienced some form of work hurt.

Looking back now, I can see how God was at work in my own season of underemployment. He was with me when I was exiled from my chosen career field, and he was with me as I slowly found my way back. While focusing on graduate school, I picked up freelance research and writing projects to help pay the bills and nurture some connections. Herr calls this “everyday faithfulness,” to wake up and do what you can today to be faithful, even if it feels small.

One of those projects was helping a new think tank, IFWE, launch its blog in 2012. Thirteen years later, I’m still here, and I have the privilege of working with a variety of Christian nonprofits and ministries to create meaningful content. When I was first laid off, I couldn’t see where my career was headed, but now I recognize how God was providing and preparing me for what was next.

If you’ve ever thought, “It’s not supposed to be this way,” this book will remind you that God is still at work—even when work hurts.

Editor’s note: You can order When Work Hurts by Meryl Herr here.