The Silent Killer of Purpose and Peace

“Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.” – Proverbs 16:3 (ESV)

Early in my career, I landed what many would consider a dream job—a position in pharmaceutical sales. It was competitive, well-paying, and full of opportunities. To this day, I still believe it’s one of the best jobs out there for the right person.

But here’s the problem… I wasn’t the right person.

I quickly became dissatisfied, unfulfilled, and ultimately unhappy. The work itself wasn’t bad—it just didn’t align with my core values. Deep down, I wanted my career to be about more than financial success—I wanted to make a difference for the Kingdom of God.

At the time, I believed that my job needed to be directly connected to ministry for me to feel fulfilled. I’ve matured in my perspective since then (I now recognize that all work is a gift from God, and any career can glorify Him). But at that stage of my life, the feeling of misalignment led to burnout, frustration, and a lack of purpose.

Why Value Misalignment Leads to Burnout

We often assume burnout happens because of long hours, high stress, or poor leadership. But sometimes, the real issue is that our work and values aren’t aligned. When you’re living or working in a way that contradicts what matters most to you, it creates an internal conflict—a tension that wears you down over time.

Think about it like this:

• If you deeply value family, but your job requires you to constantly sacrifice time with them, you’ll feel drained.
• If you value integrity, but your workplace culture encourages cutting ethical corners, you’ll struggle with frustration.
• If you value spiritual impact, but your role feels disconnected from your sense of purpose, you’ll feel lost.

In my case, it wasn’t that pharmaceutical sales was a bad job—it just wasn’t a fit for my underdeveloped understanding of my calling.

Signs Your Values and Work Are Out of Sync

How do you know if you’re experiencing value misalignment? Here are a few key warning signs:

✅ Chronic dissatisfaction – Even when things are going well, you feel like something’s missing.
✅ Emotional exhaustion – You’re constantly drained, even when you’re not overworked.
✅ Lack of motivation – You go through the motions, but your heart isn’t in it.
✅ Internal conflict – You feel like you’re living someone else’s life instead of your own.
✅ Deep longing for something more – A nagging sense that you were made for something different.

How to Recalibrate and Realign

If you’re feeling this kind of tension, the good news is you’re not stuck. Here’s how to realign your life and work with your core values:

1. Identify Your Core Values

Take time to reflect:

• What truly matters most to you?
• What are the non-negotiables in your life and work?
• When have you felt the most fulfilled? What values were being honored?

For me, I now know that helping people grow in their faith, finances, and leadership is central to my calling. That’s why VONA Solutions exists—to help others gain clarity and take action.

2. Reframe Your Perspective on Work

I used to believe that only “ministry jobs” could truly make an impact for the Kingdom. But I’ve since realized that God uses people in every industry—business, healthcare, education, sales, entrepreneurship—to advance His mission.

If you feel misaligned, ask:

• Is my work truly at odds with my values?
• Or do I just need a new perspective on how God can use me here?

3. Make Intentional Changes

Sometimes, realignment requires small shifts (like adjusting how you approach your current work). Other times, it means making bigger moves (like transitioning into a different field or role).

Ask yourself:

• What’s one small change I can make today to bring my work and values closer together?
• Is there a bigger step I need to start preparing for?

For me, I eventually transitioned out of pharmaceutical sales and into full-time ministry leadership. It was a leap of faith, but the peace that came from aligning my work with my values was worth it.

Final Thought

Your work matters. But if it’s not aligned with what you truly value, it will always feel like something is missing. The goal isn’t to find the perfect job—it’s to find the work that best aligns with the person God created you to be.

If you’re feeling that inner tension, don’t ignore it. Take a step toward realignment today. And my apologies to my managers and fellow reps that no doubt observed this challenge in me; you deserved better, so if you’re reading this, thank you for your grace.

Reflection Questions

• Have you ever felt the tension of working in a role that didn’t align with your values?
• What are your top 3-5 core values?
• Is there a small step you could take today to realign your work with what matters most?

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