Sin in the Workplace and the Groaning of Creation

The workplace was never meant to be marked by stress, burnout, or isolation. From the beginning, work was a good gift from God—meaningful, purposeful, and life-giving. In Genesis 2:15, we read that God placed Adam in the garden “to work it and take care of it.” Work was part of paradise, not punishment.

But sin changed everything.

In Genesis 3:17–19, we hear God’s response to humanity’s disobedience:
"Cursed is the ground because of you; through painful toil you will eat food from it... It will produce thorns and thistles... By the sweat of your brow you will eat your food."
Work was not revoked, but it was profoundly distorted. What was once joyful became burdensome. What was once fruitful became frustrating. Sin didn’t just affect individuals—it affected systems, structures, and the very environment in which we labour.

Fast forward to today, and we still feel the weight of those words. The 2024 Gallup State of the Global Workplace report found that only 26% of employees are engaged in their work. Over 40% report daily stress. Burnout is climbing. Loneliness is common. Hybrid workspaces and digital overload are leaving people feeling both connected and painfully disconnected. The rise of automation adds anxiety about job security, while toxic workplace cultures—marked by power struggles, exclusion, and gossip—add to the heaviness.

Indeed, we are still working among thorns and thistles.

This is the groaning Paul describes in Romans 8:22—the collective longing of creation to be restored. And that groaning includes the workplace. But Paul also offers hope. He writes that creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the children of God (Romans 8:19). That’s you.

You may not have the authority to rewrite your company’s policies or change your industry’s direction. But you do carry the presence of Christ. That alone transforms how you show up. Your faith is not limited to Sundays—it belongs in the emails, boardrooms, classrooms, and customer calls. You aren’t merely surviving the workplace; you’ve been sent into it with purpose.

Every act of kindness, integrity, and truth-telling is a holy protest against the brokenness of this world. Every time you listen well, lead with humility, or extend grace, you reflect the One who is making all things new.

When your work feels futile or frustrating, remember: this groaning world is not forsaken. Jesus wore the thorns, and His resurrection marked the beginning of renewal. And now, you are part of His redemptive mission—even at work.

Prayer
Lord, You see the stress, injustice, and weariness that fill so many workplaces. But You also see us—Your people—called to bring light into the darkness. Help me reflect Your love through my work. Let me labour with integrity, respond with compassion, and hope in Your promise to redeem all things. May my presence point others to Your peace. Amen.