Rehoboth Is Ahead: Overcoming Workplace Conflict and Moving Forward

Stop spending more calories fighting over yesterday’s well rather than digging the next one God has prepared for you.

❤️Genesis 26:22 (NKJV)

“And he moved from there and dug another well, and they did not quarrel over it. So he called its name Rehoboth, because he said, ‘For now the LORD has made room for us, and we shall be fruitful in the land.’ “

There are few things more discouraging in the workplace than investing your time, energy, and creativity into something, only to have someone else lay claim to it, oppose it, or make your efforts difficult.

I don’t know if you ever had such experience. But Isaac understood this feeling. After reopening his father’s wells and digging new ones, the Philistines repeatedly disputed his work. The first well became Esek - meaning contention. The second became Sitnah - meaning hostility. Yet Isaac refused to be trapped in endless conflict. Rather than allowing strife to consume his calling, he simply dug another well.

His response was not weakness. It was confidence. Isaac believed that God’s provision was greater than the opposition of men. He knew that while people could contend for a well, they could not stop the God who supplied the water. And could not quiet his talent at re-inventing stuff.

Many at work spend valuable years defending their pride instead of developing their potential. They become consumed with proving points, settling scores, and winning arguments. In doing so, they lose sight of the bigger assignment God has entrusted to them.

We can all learn from Isaac’s methodology. Keep your integrity. Keep your focus. Keep digging. If one opportunity is blocked, prepare for the next. If one proposal is rejected, improve another. If one promotion is delayed, continue adding value. God is not limited to a single well, a single position, a single client, or a single opportunity. My friend once got an offer to a top IT role in GTBank. He didn’t accept the offer but he had it as an option then. So don’t be scared to explore alternatives.

Eventually, Isaac arrived at Rehoboth - a place where there was room to flourish. What he could not obtain through fighting, God provided through faithful perseverance. Even those who had opposed him later came seeking peace because they could clearly see that the Lord was with him.

Your career, even your life as a matter of fact is too valuable to be defined by contention. Refuse to allow envy, office politics, or unfair treatment to distract you from your purpose. Keep doing excellent work. Keep serving faithfully. Keep trusting God. The One who called you is able to make room for you where no one can shut the door.

Receive grace!

Your Brother,

David Kay-Akeremale