Todd Friel (32:40)
My boss writes, this individual who's the owner of the company frequently uses me as the butt of the joke. He critiques me in front of co workers and he's insulted me in front of clients. Okay, that's, that's not fun, is it? These comments aren't just about work, they're personal. He's made public remarks about my weight, called me names and other things that I. It got cut off here, so I can't even tell you what it is. But it seems even worse than that. Because of his leadership style, this behavior is starting to be mirrored by others in the office. Oh, cool. I've spoken to my direct manager which resulted in a company wide email about cautious speech. But the behavior hasn't stopped. When I show that I'm hurt, I'm told I'm thin skinned or sensitive. Other co workers have even approached me privately to say they feel bad about how I'm being treated. Now he has a series of questions. If you're in a situation like that, does that mean that you just. No, I'm just going to bite my lip and not deal with it. No, you can do that. We see, I think a demonstration, an example from Paul that you can call on your rights, you can point out things that are illegal. It doesn't mean that you have to zip your lip. It doesn't mean that you can't say anything or utilize any of the avenues that are available to you to improve the way that you're being treated. So please feel free to point out, potentially even to the boss, sir, I'm concerned that this is a, use this term, hostile work environment, that's legalese for your breaking the law. And that if he's aware of how an organization should be run, he should pick up on that. And so, sir, I would ask you, please could you lead the way in making this a place where I do not feel that hostility. Nothing wrong with doing that. In the meantime, Peter's advice, it is extraordinary. Let's get to the question, shall we? How should a Christian approach a boss who's also the business owner when the behavior is this personal and public? Well, the aforementioned hostile work environment, that is one way that you can do it. Another way that you can do it is to simply ask him again and tell him how it's causing you to not be as productive as you want to be. You can plead with your employer. We see Paul do that. He pleaded, he stated his case, he called on his rights. You can do all of those things. Number two, at what point does a difficult workplace become a situation where the wise choice is to seek new employment? You do that with wisdom. You do that with wisdom. You get the counsel of others. But simultaneously, you do need to remember you're there right now. Doesn't mean you can't leave, but you're there right now because that's where God wants you. Otherwise you wouldn't be there because he's sovereign. And if he wanted you somewhere else, you wouldn't be in the place you are. You'd be there. But he does have you there because that is to what you are called. That is what Peter says. This is what will help you to endure this. You are in your vocation because you have been called to this. First Peter 2:21. To this you have been called. And then he launches into one who is called to that type of submission and suffering. Jesus Christ, who died for our sins, who was woefully mistreated, who didn't open up his mouth, he didn't retaliate. And so we have an example in Jesus. And what do we glean from this? First of all, you are where you're at because it's your calling. Second of all, you are called to suffer. Just like Jesus, who suffered. I think we have a propensity to somehow ignore what should be a pretty obvious truism. Our Savior suffered so that we could be saved. Now, the Master is greater than the servants. We're the servants. Why would we expect that we're going to slide through life and that we're just going to skate away from any problems or difficulties or harsh treatment? We're not. We're called to this. Now, that doesn't mean you put yourself in harm's way. It doesn't mean that you can't get out of these things. But to help you endure when there is no escape, we need to remember that we are called to this. And to help even further, Peter tells us why the Lord calls us to these positions. It's consistent in all of his admonitions that we have holy behavior. The entire book of First Peter is about this very singular subject. And that is God wants to use you to save sinners. God wants to use you to save your boss. God wants to use you, madam, to save your unsaved husband. God wants to use us as citizens to bring glory to himself on the day of visitation. When we submit to a government, even a bad government, he has a reason for us to be there. One of the reasons would be we're called to it. Second, we are following in the footsteps of our Savior. And third, it's evangelistic. You're there because God wants you there. And now the question is, how will I respond knowing that I am here for a purpose? Which is really question number three from this fellow. How do I balance the command to work unto the Lord when the environment feels like it's stealing my joy and peace? I know this maybe sounds a little bit simplistic, but it should actually increase your joy and peace because you are actually. You're not just going to work to perform your function, to make whatever it is that you produce or sell whatever it is that the product is. You're there to be light, you're there to be salt, to endure, just like Jesus did. Read 1 Peter 2:21 and about 4 or 5 verses the description of what Jesus did. And when we are called to suffer like him, it is for the very same reason that he was called to submit and suffer. And that is the salvation of sin sinners. This by the way, applies if you have got a husband who isn't a believer. That is Peter's very same point in the very same context. Now it happens, unfortunately, to go into chapter three, but it's submit even if, especially if you will, you have an unsaved husband. Why that he might be one without a word, but through what? Your demeanor, your behavior and your submission. Knowing that it doesn't mean you ever put yourself or leave yourself in harm's way. But it does mean that you can endure knowing that God has a purpose for your persecution. He has a plan for your suffering because he has loftier goals than we do. In other words, you are called to something eternal. Eternal and transcendent. This is Wretched Radio.
