We have all worked with challenging people…family, friends, co-workers. Words and reactions can cut. It can make us feel angry, embarrassed, even worthless, and so very small.
Through the Word of God, we confirm the struggles of the flesh, affirmations of our identity in Christ, and seeing His very nature which we can emulate by His Spirit.
The Battles Within
In Christ, the Bible says that we are a new creation, the old has gone, the new has come
(2 Corinthians 5:17). Hallelujah and Amen! Yet what a struggle we still have between the flesh and the Spirit (Romans 7:15, Galatians 5:17).
When faced with hurtful people and their attacks come, the flesh wants to fight back. In this body, I am perfectly capable of returning a verbal zinger with a zinger and willfully choose to live in a pit of offense and hurt (James 3:9). I naturally want to plead my case of said injustice and protect myself, avenge myself.
But God teaches us beyond our fleshly stings and pride. He is to become greater (John 3:30) and that vengeance is not ours (Leviticus 19:18, Romans 12:19). He provides the Holy Spirit to do what we are unable (or don’t want) to do. Apart from Him, we can do nothing (John 15:5). Will I trust and allow Him in the moment to take over?
Because We Are in Christ
Our shortcomings lead us to prayer and His Word. We remember, then, that we are not defined by our errors or what people may say to us or about us. God says that we are created in His image (Genesis 1:27, 5:1), lavishly loved by our Father and called children of God (1 John 3:1), and are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works (Ephesians 2:10). But we are also responsible in the day-to-day to think and act as we lean on Him, being molded in the image of Christ (2 Corinthians 3:18, 1 John 2:6).
Many of those around us have yet to truly discover Jesus, the definition of peace, healing, and love. I imagine not knowing my identity in our Lord nor walking with Him. Can you picture a life apart from our Savior?
The Bible says to hate evil (Psalm 97:10, Proverbs 8:13) and love your enemy (Matthew 5:43-48). Some people can surely test us on that. How much more, then, am I able to simply listen, learn, and grow to become stronger, more skillful, and resilient while working with them?
Through His righteousness and love, we can see beyond the pangs caused by those we work alongside with — being reminded of His saving grace and forgiveness while we were still sinners (Roman 5:8).
Christ’s Response
In obedience to the cross—wearing the crown of thorns, being mocked and scourged — Christ displayed the greatest love of all. Let’s look at our Lord: Christ made no reply, not even to a single charge (Matthew 27:12-14).
Prophesies were fulfilled of His quiet submission: “He will not cry out or raise His voice, nor make His voice heard in the streets” (Isaiah 42:2). “He was oppressed and afflicted, yet He did not open His mouth; He was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so He did not open His mouth” (Isaiah 53:7).
By His blood, Christ paints His compassionate reminder that we are to be in abiding obedience to Him and forgive as He forgives us (Psalm 103:12, Matthew 6:14-15, Colossians 3:13). We can walk in the way of love as Christ did (Ephesians 5:2, 1 John 4:19).
The Fruit From Our Hurts
It takes some time to get to know someone. When people see our consistency of character in Jesus, one’s hardened demeanor begins to change. We can become a listening ear and even a source of trust.
I can now thank God for the people in the workplace. He has provided the opportunity to learn of pain and heartbreak in others. We pray for them. We pray for their hearts to be changed (Ezekiel 36:26), but God has continued to change mine. The sting once felt begins to fade and through forgiveness and prayer, God opens doors to share the Gospel and reveal His Love: patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, self-control…. (Galatians 5:22-23).
To those with whom we come in contact, to those God has convicted us to reach out to — may we see His Creation with His very heart-nature that we may love where our flesh inhibits.
Take the hit. By the power of His Spirit, in that very moment, He teaches us to respond in the likeness of the One Who is greater than the one who is in the world (1 John 4:4).
This article was written by Yuko Query. Yuko is a First Officer with Delta Airlines. She has been instrumental in the re-launch of a FCAP group in the LAX area, has served for several years as part of our outreach team at Oshkosh, and also serves on our FCAP Board of Directors.
