In this episode of the Joyful Health Show, I interview Meryl Herr, researcher, consultant, and author of When Work Hurts. We talk through how work stress impacts our bodies, minds, and spiritual well-being. If you're like us and have ever felt worn out by work but didn't feel validated enough to express it or that you had to simply push through, it's time we address the hidden hurt behind our work, what God says, and what we can do about it.

Here’s what we cover:

• Meryl’s personal story of ambition, disappointment, and navigating career expectations 
• What “work hurt” actually is—and how it affects us through burnout, GI distress, headaches, and spiritual disillusionment
• What the Bible says about work and work hurt
• Practical steps to process work hurt, seek support, and move forward with hope and wisdom

We want you to walk away knowing that it's okay for work to hurt, but you don't have to bury it. Hold space for that pain in prayer, partner with God in His Kingdom work, and let's go forward with greater resilience together.

"Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain." 1 Corinthians 15:58

Helpful Timestamps: 

05:11 Health Impacts of Work Hurt
05:35 What Counts as Work
09:51 God's Design for Work and Rest
13:47 Untangling Work Hurt
16:40 Journaling and Support
18:43 Building Resilience
19:24 Calling Beyond Your Job
22:17 Holding Onto Hope

🎧 Listen here!

About Meryl

Meryl Herr (PhD, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School) is the owner of The GoodWorks Group LLC, a consulting firm specializing in educational program planning and evaluation. She previously served as director of research and resources at Fuller Seminary's Max De Pree Center for Leadership, where she conducted research and created resources to help Christian marketplace leaders integrate their faith with their work. Meryl lives with her family near Athens, Georgia.

Resources

• Work with Meryl at merylherr.com 
• Get Meryl's book When Work Hurts here
• Work Hurt Assessment reflection guide

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