What of your workplace environment? How would you describe it it? Global and forward-thinking? Visionary? Status-quo? Old-school?
Are your personality and work ethic a good fit for your current assignment? What mechanisms do you employ in order to reconcile conflicts when they arise?
In what ways do you strive to maintain your morale and that of others? In what ways do you strive to uplift others?
In this day and age it’s often easy to focus upon the negative; to allow ourselves to become focused upon the negative. It’s no wonder, with the mainstream media’s bombardment upon our senses with politics, the economy, and the state of world affairs, not to mention the demands of unfunded federal mandates as they relate to education!
Add to that the demands of stakeholders, whether they take the form of the public-at-large, parents, students, or supervisors at all levels. Reflect upon the questions above, then chime in on these topics.
To those who may, either through word or deed, subtly or openly, in a group setting or in private, mistreat you, speak down to you, verbally “bully” you, disdain you, or use petty methods to discourage and dishearten you, consider the following:
Proverbs 21:4 Haughty eyes and a proud heart, the lamp of the wicked, are sin.
Proverbs 21:24 The proud and arrogant man-”Mocker” is his name;he behaves with overweening pride.
Proverbs 16:18 Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.
Romans 12:19 Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay”, says the Lord.
You see, there will always be those with whom we work, no matter what the setting or assignment, who take delight in persistently trying, lying, and denying. Perhaps they “fudge figures” to make themselves or other entities look good on paper. Perhaps they “work the system” so as to receive monetary gain in ways that are unethical. They might delight in the trite: doing whatever superficial and sophomoric deeds they can conceive of to try and stifle your spirit and passion for doing what is right by the children whose cause it is yours to help educate.
They may form or be part of a tripartite that abuses its influence and authority; deluding themselves into thinking that the group is invisible to others, when in fact it couldn’t be more transparent you and others within the district.
Do not seek revenge or become disheartened! Read and reflect upon the scriptures above, then read the book of Romans, chapter 12. It’ll take you all of 5 minutes and will help put things in perspective. No time to read? Then listen to it. Click here. Of particular importance is Romans 12:20 “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”
Read the entire chapter. You’ll be comforted and blessed knowing that God has your back. He will deal justly with the unjust. You won’t have to lift a finger. God’s judgment will be more severe and more timely than that with which we could ever conceive of anyway, so why waste your time on such petty matters? Give it up to Him. You’ll be freed from the burden, and God will be pleased that you have put the matter in His hands….an act of faith, which pleases Him.
Peace be with you.
By: cpitrolo on September 13, 2008
at 10:47 pm