Trusting God in the Workplace: But Lord, I Had an Excuse to be Mean!"

Ever felt like you had an excuse to cut up or treat someone bad? Maybe, someone treated you badly? Maybe things didn't go your way or maybe you feel like you had a RIGHT to be upset. 

I have felt the SAME way. Let me share my story.. 

I was working with a venue for an event and I felt like the customer service was TERRIBLE. I am passionate about the events that the Lord gives me and I felt like the person I was working with was like a grimy used car salesman, trying to get over on me. 

I was ready to take my issues to corporate because I wanted everybody to feel my wrath. 

Then, the Lord AND my husband convicted my heart. 

The Lord said, the same grace that I give you daily.. I need you to give it to them. 

Wait, WHAT LORD? I don't like how they do business! As I fussed at Him, tears came to my eyes. Why is it that I am so hard on others (even if they are wrong) but at the same time I forget that I need the same grace from the Lord daily?! I'm reminded of this story in Matthew 18: 24-33:

 24 And when he had begun to settle accounts, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. 25 But as he was not able to pay, his master commanded that he be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and that payment be made. 26 The servant therefore fell down before him, saying, ‘Master, have patience with me, and I will pay you all.’ 27 Then the master of that servant was moved with compassion, released him, and forgave him the debt. 28 “But that servant went out and found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii; and he laid hands on him and took him by the throat, saying, ‘Pay me what you owe!’ 29 So his fellow servant fell down at his feet and begged him, saying, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you all.’30 And he would not, but went and threw him into prison till he should pay the debt. 31 So when his fellow servants saw what had been done, they were very grieved, and came and told their master all that had been done. 32 Then his master, after he had called him, said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you begged me.33 Should you not also have had compassion on your fellow servant, just as I had pity on you?’ 34 And his master was angry, and delivered him to the torturers until he should pay all that was due to him.

I'm reminded of this because I am the person that owes a tiny bit. When I messed up in the past, I begged God to forgive me! As I repent daily for any known or unknown sin, I'm humbled by His grace & desperately need Him! Everything is great. THEN, I get tested with the person who is trying to WORK my nerves.. AND I want him to know that I think you're trying to get over on me and I don't like bad business! 

SO, because God forgave ME, I'm going to trust His word when He says .. "A gentle answer turns away wrath." Instead of fussing with whoever, I'm going to really let God fight my battles. I'm going to trust His timing and His ways and know that I don't have to be this all-powerful-superwoman-business woman. I need to be a servant of the Lord and trust that HE has my back. Its like, over the years I worked with high power business women that were at times, difficult to work with and no-nonsense. And I think it's ok to have standards and be a good business woman BUT if we are being mean, rude and just plain emotional, that aint biblical.  So, please, don't take this that you have to be some wimp. The Proverbs 31 woman was a STRONG businesswoman but she understood submission to God & her husband. She knew that she had to be led by God in her dealings and not what she picked up from other bosses. 

Lets ponder this: HOW are we any different than the world if we fight like them? Bicker like them? Argue like them? I had to ask myself, Heather.. where did you get this mindset concerning doing business?

Romans 12:2 says "And be not fashioned according to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, and ye may prove what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God."

And, my husband checked me.. in saying that I needed to speak directly to who is causing the strife, not run to his manager and complain. Now, THAT was hard but He was right. I never had a full convo with the guy and it's been through email. Is it even fair? Even after we had our conversation, I still wasn't 100% satisfied but I realized that the Lord is growing my faith. Even if my event is Christian and I want Gods glory to hit that place.. along the way I may work with unbelievers. I may work with people that are trying to ruffle my feathers & are being used by the enemy! If the enemy knows what drives me nuts, he's gonna send people my way to distract me in that very area. BUT God will use it to mature me if I pass the test. 

So, are you giving into the bait of that co-worker.. that family member... that friend.. that boss that is DRIVING you up the wall? This is your chance to grow! You've been asking God to use you and then when the test came, you ran! You responded like you used to in the world! The proof is in your pudding honey and at times we can be so emotional that we don't even give the Lord a chance to FIGHT on our behalf. 

So, who is fighting your battles?

You?

Or the Lord?

It MAY be hard to grasp this concept of truly resting and trusting the Lord because we are in a society that screams, "MOVE, take ACTION, STAND UP FOR YOURSELF!" But at the same time, the Lord may be speaking into your heart to rest. With a whisper He is trying to show you your own heart. That you move & take action and you don't wait for his response. You move based on your high emotions. You move based on how you feel that day. You move based on what you saw on TV. You move based on what mama & whoever said. God sent you to that place to be an example but.. you haven't started because you're too busy arguing with spirits. We have to remember that this fight is not PHYSICAL but spiritual! 

And don't get me wrong, there's a time for correction in the workplace. But I can assure you that God will show you where YOU need to change long before He shows you where your co-worker needs to change. 

BUT guess what? God repays us when we are treated badly & we are honoring Him.  I don't know about you, but I want the Lords rewards.. not this worlds. (1 Peter 2)

How long must the Lord fight with you to get His point across? 

Just a few things:

1. There's a BOOK sale today & tomorrow! ALL of our books are only $10 each! Check it out via www.pinkypromiseboutiques.com. No code needed! :)

2. We have developed an APP! Think: daily post notifications + weekly devotionals, recipes and so much more! It's out NOW for iphones + Androids. Under Heather & Cornelius Lindsey: Today With the Lindsey's

3.  If you live in Atlanta, I want to invite you to our church. Join us on Sundays at 11:00am at Landmark Art Cinemas. Our churches name is: "The Gathering Oasis"  931 Monroe Drive NE Atlanta, GA. We also have our New Years Service at the same place at 10pm EST!

4. My book is selling like crazy! I'm so thankful for all of you that have supported! Check it out here: My New Book! Pink Lips & Empty Hearts:  www.PinkLipsAndEmptyHearts.com AND my new book,  Dusty Crowns, here! 

5. Register for the 2015 Pinky Promise in Atlanta, GA! It sold out last year, so you don't want to miss out! www.pinkypromiseconference.com 

6. As always, you can join a Pinky Promise group locally! There's about 30,000 ladies that have joined! Find a group near you by joining & checking out the intro page! Join here:www.PinkyPromiseMovement.com

God loves you like crazy, 

I love ya'll!

Heather Lindsey