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'Christ in You...'
by Dale Krebbs
"But understand this, that in the last days will come (set in) perilous times of great stress and trouble [hard to deal with and hard to bear]. For people will be lovers of self and [utterly] self-centered, lovers of money and aroused by an inordinate [greedy] desire for wealth, proud and arrogant and contemptuous boasters..." - 2 Timothy 3:1-2
Many places where many earn their livelihood have become virtual battle zones. Perhaps you are in one.
In our world, it is not necessarily experienced in hostile bodily contact (although it has happened), but mostly psychological. Envy, resentment, jealousy, manipulation, collusion and plotting against each, workplace clicks, and - the list is almost endless. At times, for many, its like a war zone.
Several years ago, a dear friend and sister in Christ and I had a long discussion concerning workplace environment. At age 90, she related to me how the workplace atmosphere was when she worked in a large Northeastern city. Her husband having been killed in action in the military, she was required to raise and provide for herself, and four small daughters.
She had to work. And work hard, in what was a very difficult circumstance for her. As she described some of her experiences, she mentioned that many she worked with, including her employers, still call and visited with her. They were concerned. And they were still close friends. They always were, she said.
When I explained what many office environments today were like, she could not believe it. She was horrified, and shocked and almost speechless. During all the many years she had to work at whatever she could do (she was not educated), she never had bad words, or tense competition incidents. They were all fellow workers - and friends. And still were 70 years later, with those still alive. What she had told me was as difficult to believe, and what I had told her was difficult for her to believe.
What is happening in many work environments today is both a symptom and a cause. It feeds upon itself.
Some simply blame it on anything from the cost of living, to government conspiracy.
The plain truth is, we live in a fallen (and falling) world.
If you are in an employment crisis or just a stressful work circumstance, with your options seeming to be very few, and if you belong to Christ, you really have one option: commit you life and situation into His hands without reservation. Do not do what is the biggest temptation for you - retaliate. It is the worst thing you can do - in their sight, and the sight of Christ! Turning the other cheek is always difficult, but you do not know what your future may hold. Put your trust in Him.
If you have surrendered your life and circumstances to Him, you do know He holds your future in the palm of His hand.
The Apostle Peter commanded those to whom he wrote to "cast (in the Greek, "with deliberate force") your cares upon Jesus, for He cares for you!". (1 Peter 5:7)
Although you must deal with your difficulties, always cast the outcome into His hands. Accept your lot, if it must be so. In faith, wait for His will and deliverance. He will never leave you or forsake you. Trust Him, and be patient, realizing the times in which you live. Of course, change your situation as much as you can, trusting in Him to guide you.
As difficult as it may be, strive to express the love of Christ to everyone involved. The shock may disable them.
"...for He [God] Himself has said, I will not in any way fail you nor give you up nor leave you without support. [I will] not, [I will] not, [I will] not in any degree leave you helpless nor forsake nor let [you] down (relax My hold on you)! [Assuredly not!] - Hebrews 13:5
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