Internal Rottenness

I heard about a high-ranking government official on another continent who was very effective in his job. In fact, he had been promoted quickly and by age 30 carried great authority and respect from his countrymen and peers. Unfortunately, he was thrown into prison as his superior's wife reportedly claimed he had sexually assaulted her. It would be later discovered that there wasn't a shred of truth in her claim but he was carted off to prison nonetheless. She lied.

He lost his job, his reputation and his freedoms in life; a hard pill to swallow when you haven't done anything wrong. In fact, in spite of all that the newspapers said around the globe, it was later revealed that he was spotless in the matter and upheld his integrity in every way. Still, he is in prison and the wife of that government official walked away free as a bird!

What do you do when a co-worker wounds you, especially in a deep and disturbing way? OK, maybe it isn't as serious as lying about you assaulting them. Or maybe it's worse. Some of you have been there. Bitterness doesn't begin to creep in: it rushes in like a tornado wind and can dominate life in a hurry! A heart quickly becomes engulfed in it.

Are you bitter this morning? Be real before the Lord. He knows your heart. Is there a co-worker with whom you have become embittered? It may be that you would strangle this person, given a chance. In reality, your bitterness is strangling you.

It fosters a certain internal rottenness. This rot does nothing to harm the one with whom you are angry but it destroys your spirit, your testimony and your workplace impact

Today's Workplace Challenge: Simply forgive that person. Extend grace. You have carried the grudge too many miles and far too long. Give it up. Start over in your own heart.

This doesn't mean that you will be friends or have lunch today with him (or her). What it does mean is that you will lance the boiling rot in your own bones. Giving grace to someone is the most unnatural thing you can do because it means you absorb the cost for whatever they did to you instead of their paying for it. Nothing of this sort comes automatically yet it is our call as Christians at work and everywhere we go It is a mature choice.

It is exactly what Christ did for us. He absorbed the price for our sins by offering Himself on the cross. Let's imitate Him today and live radically for a change!

As you may have figured, the man mentioned in the first paragraph was Joseph, who became the Prime Minister of Egypt. His handling of wrongdoing by his brothers is a prototype of how to deal with injustice, refusing to give bitterness a place to grow in the heart. He allowed God to turn it all for good!

Have a great Sunday. Let's get started strong this week!

The Other 6 Days – WB Journal