1 Peter 2:20 (NLT) “Of course, you get no credit for being patient if you are beaten for doing wrong. But if you suffer for doing good and endure it patiently, God is pleased with you.”
Ideally, we would all prefer to work in places where we are most loved and where there is no opposition or resistance to our work. Resistance and opposition a normal part of the human life and even our Lord and Master, Jesus Christ faced opposition in almost every place he went to, especially in His hometown.
Not all resistance is meant to harm you, some forms of opposition are meant to assist you in your growth journey. Here are three things to do if you find yourself working in a harsh environment:
1. Find out why you are facing resistance. If at your workplace, your superiors and colleagues are unfriendly, particularly towards you, or your work is always being rejected or you’re constantly under severe pressure from your superior, find out why you are being treated differently; request for a tete-a-tete meeting with the person you seem to have difficulty. Have an open and honest conversation about your experiences while you share your grievances with decorum, and then listen to their reasons with an open mind, whatever they may be.
2. Make the necessary changes. Depending on the feedback from the meeting, you may want to make some adjustments to your lifestyle, work ethics, or attitude. You may have had unpleasant encounters because of your unfriendliness or your proud attitude or probably because of your poor quality of work. If the feedback received is a fairly reasonable or constructive criticism, then the needed adjustments should be made. Proverbs 12:1(NKJV) says,
“Whoever loves instruction loves knowledge, but he who hates correction is stupid.”
3. Know when to leave. Jesus told his disciples to shake the dust off their feet and leave any place where their ministry was not appreciated and received (Matthew 10:14). Sometimes, no matter the effort you put in, it goes unrecognized and unappreciated. In such cases, it may do no good remaining in the same place. However, before you decide to leave a place because of the harsh and unfriendly environment, pray and seek guidance from the Holy Spirit to be certain it is His will for you to leave; do not just leave because of fear or feelings of anger and bitterness.
Precious one, a harsh and difficult environment is not always meant to break us down, sometimes it is an opportunity to grow. Find out the source or cause of the difficulty and make the necessary changes. However, you should also know that sometimes, leaving such an environment is the better option.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, give me the grace to prosper and flourish in every harsh and difficult place You send me, to the praise of Your glory, in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Related Topics : Charles Agyinasare, Work Smart,
