Are you or your loved one a workaholic? If so, you need to understand that the desire for significance is one of the primary emotional needs that push some people. Many workaholics do not realize that our real significance comes from being children of God and living out His plans for us. After all, Deuteronomy 26:18 talks about God's children as His own, "special treasure." Our heavenly Father loves us not because of anything we are or do but because He created us. We can't do anything to increase or decrease our value in His sight.

Workaholics tend to forget this. As a result, they put all their effort into excelling in the marketplace and often neglect even their closest relationships. Perhaps a man's father said, "You will never amount to anything." - so he spends a lifetime trying to prove his father wrong. It's a bitter, never-ending cycle.

If you are married to a workaholic, don't curse your spouse's work. Instead, offer praise, admiration, and encouragement. Say how proud you are. The more praise you give, and the more you value your spouse for who he or she is rather than for what he or she does, the more likely your workaholic partner will be to spend more time away from work and with you.

Take time to thank God for loving and valuing you unconditionally. Ask Him to help you remember that your ultimate significance comes only from Him, not from anything you accomplish.

Reflect on these questions:

How do you feel about your job - or your loved ones' jobs?

How do the two of you usually deal with the tension created by job issues?

What steps can you take this week to show your spouse how much you appreciate him or her?

Consider these passages for further study on Work:

Psalm 90:17 May the favor^[a] of the Lord our God rest on us;
    establish the work of our hands for us—
    yes, establish the work of our hands.

Proverbs 14:23 All hard work brings a profit,
    but mere talk leads only to poverty.

Ecclesiastes 3:13  That each of them may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all their toil—this is the gift of God.

Creating a balance of work and family can be challenging. Finding ways to do regular check-ins with your family and how they are feeling helps everyone be loved. Another great devotional of Gary Chapman. This has opened my eyes to see how present I am to others around me.