There’s a subtle shift that often goes unspoken when someone becomes a follower of Christ, one that changes how we experience the world around us, especially in the workplace. For many Christians working in secular industries, particularly in fields like tech, media, or corporate settings, there comes a moment when you realize: “I don’t feel at home here anymore.”

This isn’t just about office politics or stress. It’s deeper. It’s the awareness of egos clashing, deceit being rewarded, narcissism being normalized, and competition overshadowing integrity. It’s the sinking feeling that things that once seemed normal now feel… off. And for Christians who are told to “love your enemies” and “bless them that curse you,” this inner conflict can be incredibly disorienting.

This seems to be happening to me now more and more the feeling of being out of place now especially in my career. I work as a software engineer and have been for the past now 10 years to make a living. It comes with a lot of stress, competition, ego, narcissism, etc..

I recently noticed how though becoming a Christian has had a huge positive effect in my life and career to handle things much better and get less stressed with so much knowledge from the good book to help me, heal me, change me, etc.. still, I feel that I am more sensitive now to these negative things that occur in this very secular industry I work in.

The Spiritual Sensitivity Is Real

The Apostle Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 5:17 (KJV):

“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”

Becoming a Christian doesn’t just change your eternity — it transforms your conscience, I can say this has definetely happened to me. Your heart is made tender to sin — not just your own, but the brokenness around you. This isn’t weakness or oversensitivity. It’s spiritual awareness. The Holy Spirit within you is grieved by what grieves God.

Now all this strikes my spirit deeply. The pride, narcissism, cutthroat competition, and constant posturing — especially in the tech world where everyone seems to think they’re the best coding developer alive and many times you are not even looked at as an actual person but a robot that’s just supposed to produce code, keep your mouth shut, and can be replaced like nothing (most FAANG engineers leave at an average of one year) because the level of stress is very intense.

I find myself more spiritually sensitive to the coldness in this industry, not in a way that causes me to explode like I used to (which was incredibly damaging to my health), but with a clearer awareness of just how secular and many times Godless it is unfortunately, and can discern how dangerous actually it is to pay attention to it and let it eat you alive as it would before.

I can now recognize these toxic patterns much earlier, where before I was desensitized — absorbing it all until I would eventually break down and either quit the job, get constantly upset, constantly complain, etc.. it was a very unhealthy way to live and work.

Now, I see more clearly that it’s not just about difficult coworkers (some with demons out to purposely destroy your work, make your job harder just so they can get ahead), envious colleagues, or stressful projects — it’s a spiritual battle. The attacks I faced and continue to face to this day now at work aren’t merely circumstantial; they’re often attempts by the enemy to wear me down and try to take away my peace as well as something that is so important in anyone’s lives to make a living and be able to provide for your family as the Lord want’s you to, to make the best of yourself and your work, the gifts God has given us.

So rather than relying on flawed, man-made coping mechanisms which I used to do before and really didn’t help in the long run, I’ve learned that I must put on the whole armor of God daily and do it all for the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ, he is my employer, period.

“And whatever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men.” — Collosians 3–23 (KJV)

Why Is This Happening to Me?

It’s a fair question. Many assume the Christian life will get easier with time, especially as we learn to love like Jesus. But the truth is, as you become more like Him, the world may feel less like home. Jesus warned us:

“If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.” — John 15:18 (KJV)

You’re not broken; you’re being sanctified. You’re not falling apart; you’re being set apart.

Loving in a Hostile Culture

The tension, however, remains. How do we respond to environments that feel spiritually abrasive? Do we run? Do we retaliate? Do we shrink into silence?

Christ calls us to a higher path.

“But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you…” — Matthew 5:44 (KJV)

This love is not blind acceptance of evil. It’s the kind of love that sees broken people and chooses to reflect Christ to them. It’s active, prayerful, and sacrificial.

“Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.” — Romans 12:21 (KJV)

Strength for the Journey

If you’re weary, you’re not alone. Scripture gives us both language for lament and fuel for perseverance:

• Isaiah 41:10 — “I will strengthen thee…”
• Philippians 4:6–7 — “The peace of God… shall keep your hearts and minds…”
• Galatians 6:9 — “Let us not be weary in well doing…”

These are not just verses for quiet times — they are anchors for real life, in real workplaces, with real tension.

You Are Not Alone

There’s a growing need for believers in secular spaces to encourage one another — to remind each other that yes, this is hard… but yes, this is holy work. You are a light in darkness, a witness where it matters most. Your discomfort is not a defect — it’s confirmation that the Spirit is alive in you.

Let it drive you to deeper prayer, deeper love, and deeper trust.

And remember: even Daniel worked in Babylon.