Day 12 - Work & School
Raise your hand (or think to yourself) if you have a boss, coworker, classmate, or teacher you can’t stand. The very sight of them makes you want to run in the other direction, the sound of their voice makes your blood boil, and the thought of them makes you want to pack up and move to a different job or school. Okay, now sincerely pray for this person to have a great day, that they will find joy and peace, and that they will be blessed. Pray that you can show them love and kindness today. Were you able to do it? If so, please share your secret. Most of us have someone like that in our lives either in our workplace or school. What if I were to tell you that God loves them as much as He loves you, and He wants you to live in peace with that person as much as you do with the coworkers or classmates you like? I can already see the eye rolls and hear the sarcastic responses. Let’s reflect on how we can find peace at work or at school, and how we can best pray for our coworkers or classmates.
Romans 15:5 tells us that we are to live in harmony with one another, like Christ. However, the first part of the verse tells us that God will grant us endurance and encouragement to do that. Have you tried praying for your difficult coworkers or classmates? Have you tried moving the microscope from them onto yourself? Sometimes the easiest way to handle the people we must be around often is to focus on ourselves and to pray for our own patience and kindness to respond to them. Ephesians 4:29 reminds us that we should only speak words that are going to build others up, that give grace to others, and that is honest and pure. You can’t put the fire out with fire, the saying goes. When we respond to others in a way that is harsh, sarcastic or tears them down, things won’t get any better. Maybe you don’t have a coworker, teacher, or classmate you dislike, and this hasn’t applied to you, yet. If that’s the case, how often do you find yourself praying for the coworkers, teachers, or classmates you do like? Here is your challenge to pray equally for the people you enjoy being around as much as you pray for the people you don’t.
Let’s not forget about another crucial part of work and/or school, which we have yet to discuss!
Whatever you do in your day-to-day life, remember the purpose and who you’re really working for. Sometimes we can get so caught up in the “daily grind” that our purpose is lost. We begin to focus more on the negativity of our school or workplace than the reason we were placed there. Proverbs 16:3 tells us to commit our work to the Lord, and our plans will be established. Whether you’re where you want to be in your career or not, commit it to the Lord so he can guide your way to it and through it. Colossians 3:23 tells us to work heartily in whatever we do, for the Lord and not for man. Keep in mind the importance of doing work to the best of our abilities so that we can bring praise to God and receive the blessings He wants us to have. Last, of all, remember to seek out fellowship with others to support you through the hard times at work or school. God never intended us to do life alone!
Michelle Mauer
