Therefore at that time certain Chaldeans came forward and accused the Jews. They spoke and said to King Nebuchadnezzar, “O king, live forever! You, O king, have made a decree that everyone who hears the sound of the horn, flute, harp, lyre, and psaltery, in symphony with all kinds of music, shall fall down and worship the gold image; and whoever does not fall down and worship shall be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace. There are certain Jews whom you have set over the affairs of the province of Babylon: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego; these men, O king, have not paid due regard to you. They do not serve your gods or worship the gold image which you have set up.” – (Daniel 3: 8-12)

If you are facing adversity at work, join the club! You are not the first and you certainly won’t be the last. This club can be traced back even as far as the ancient example of Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. These Hebrew men were exiles in Babylon working for King Nebuchadnezzar. (1) They experienced adversity at work because they were different. They were Hebrews among Babylonians. (2) They faced adversity at work because they were disciplined. They did not spend time hanging around and hanging out. (3) They ran into adversity at work because they were definite. They made it crystal clear where they stood on the company policy and the issues of the day. (4) They had to deal with adversity at work because they were determined. They refused to compromise their values even if it cost them cash.

From the record of Daniel chapters 1-3, we learn how they handled and overcame this adversity. (1) They did it with their food. They watched the physical and spiritual food that they allowed to enter their bodies and mind at work. (2) They kept their focus. They did not get caught up in the politics and party of corporate Babylon. They did their job. They had a high level of performance in spite of opposition. Their work and results were far better than their co-workers. (3) They had faith. Underneath their rare skills was a faith that kept them going and glowing. In the end, it was these factors and more that caused them to gain praise and promotion even from the very ones who could not stand to work with them.