Have you ever had a terrible boss?
Have you ever had a terrible boss? Have you ever had someone that you've worked hard never acknowledge or recognize your hard work? Or better yet, have you been berated even when you're doing your best--or going the extra mile? How about lied to or given false hope as to promotions that have never seemed to manifest themselves? If you've worked in business, you've probably come across one of these before. The real question is, how did it make you feel? Or how did you react to it? If your initial response is that it led you to quit your job or not take it as seriously as you used to, I probably wouldn't blame you, that is, if you weren't a Christian. The latter offense in the midst of this, is probably a worst offense than the former. Especially, if you began taking your job less seriously because of this terrible boss or began to retaliate in an eye for an eye fashion. This would be acceptable or might even seem wise if you asked your coworkers, however, if you're a Christian, it's not. Jesus has an interesting amount to say in a situation like this, and advice I find myself looking for in the midst of a trial myself. So where do we start? Well, the easy answer is, Love your neighbor as yourself and love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and will all your mind (Luke 10:27). If we're loving God with all our soul, heart, strength, and mind, it makes it a lot easier to love our neighbor as ourselves, and in this scenario our bosses. Another incentive, and a good place to start, is that as Christians we also ought to do unto others as we would have them do unto us (Matthew 7:12). This is especially true when we're doing this and our bosses or those around us are not. However, this is where we can truly let our light shine, as if we only treat those well who treat us well, how are we any different than the sinners? Luke 6:32 “But if you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. 33 And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. 34 And if you lend to those from whom you hope to receive back, what credit is that to you? For even sinners lend to sinners to receive as much back. 35 But love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. For He is kind to the unthankful and evil. 36 Therefore be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful. So before you quit or stop caring about your job, be kind to the unthankful and the evil, because Our Father in Heaven is, let us be merciful as He is, and Let us do our work unto the Lord, because we're not working for men, but for God.
