Expressing the Fruit of the Spirit at Work: PEACE

A few weeks ago, I was preparing to take a brief absence from work to help a family member post surgery, and was finding myself becoming a bit overwhelmed as I tried to finish all the work on my desk before my leave while my workplace was quite busy. The last thing I was feeling was peaceful.

One of my co-workers could see my stress level and abrupt responses were increasing, and gently suggested that I take a short break to catch my breath. So I did, but also spent a moment praying.

The difference in how much work was accomplished and my attitude change after that short break was made by inviting the Holy Spirit into the situation, and asking for His guidance on how to proceed.

Maybe you can relate. There are days when our workplaces or work load flow well, and others where things can become tense with a sudden deadline approaching, supercharged with the underlying disagreement between co-workers, or tense as you deal with a difficult client.

In those moments, we especially need peace.

PEACE according to the Merriam Webster dictionary* is

1. “a state of tranquility or quiet” such as freedom from civil disturbance, or a state of security or order within a community provided for by law or custom.

2. freedom from disquieting or oppressive thoughts or emotions

3. harmony in personal relations

https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/peace

These definitions narrow down three key aspects to experiencing PEACE as Christian women: through God’s strengthening; safety; and relationally. As His children, the Word is to be our go to on all topics, so let’s examine what the Bible says about peace.

STRENGTHENED BY THE SPIRIT:

“You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in You.” (Isaiah 26:3)

“The Lord gives strength to His people, and the Lord blessed His people with peace.” (Psalm 29:11)

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, PEACE, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law." (Galatians 5:22-23 ESV)

SAFETY:

“In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for You alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.” (Psalm 4:8)

“I have said these things to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart, I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)

“Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” (John 14:27)

RELATIONALLY:

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” (Matthew 5:8)

“If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” (Romans 12:18)

“Deceit is in the heart of those who devise evil, but those who plan peace have joy.” (Proverbs 12:20)

As we bring every situation to God, whether it's to do with our job location, work performance, or staff dynamics, we can trust that God will lead us to the best way to act, respond and/or speak each time we turn to Him.

Taking This to God in Prayer:

God, I struggle at times with how I can experience peace at work. When war and loss is highlighted by the news, remind me that You provide the peace that passes understanding, and my true home is with You. When I am feeling anxious, stressed, worn out or overtired, reassure me that You are with me, and You exchange my worries and concerns for Your peace when I offer them to you. When I am not in agreement with a coworker, help me recall that with Your help, I can remain calm and peaceful, and reply based upon Your promptings, not my initial reactions. May I always look to You, God, as my source of peace, no matter the situation or season I am currently experiencing. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Walking alongside you as together we become more peace filled Christian women at work,

Karla Lees

Proverbs at Work: Be Well-Versed in Avoiding Heated Discussions by Keeping Calm

“A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” (Proverbs 15:1 NIV)

Have you found there are sometimes differences of opinion when working and speaking with others in your work place? You have likely responded with a resounding "Yes!"

There is always potential for differences of opinion. Having different suggestions, ideas, and insights is very positive when making decisions on policies, procedures, and/or quality improvement projects. Best decisions are made when everyone gives input. The expression "One of us is never as smart as all of us" has much truth. Being defensive, forceful, or argumentative when discussing is not positive. Focusing on what needs to be done is difficult when conversations become emotional and/or heated. It is not necessary or constructive. Although we may feel strongly about a situation, we should always be respectful, professional, and in control.

Ask yourself the following questions:

• Do you find yourself involved in heated discussions at work?

• Do you find yourself easily impatient when someone has a different opinion than you?

• Do you have conversations where voices are raised, people are interrupted, and there is tension during and after?

• Do you get your point across but then have to deal with strained relationships after?

If you have answered "yes" to any of the above 4 questions, it is time to make changes. Please review the following two strategies towards keeping calm for you to start using:

First: Pray that God would reveal the problem's core root. There may be many reasons: it could be pride, a lack of confidence, impatience, poor communication skills, or an underlying anger issue.

Secondly: The next time you find yourself involved in a discussion starting to get tense and heated, remember the verse: "A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger." Take this verse with you daily to work! A gentle answer is God's advice to us to avoid wrath.

Although the conversation may be difficult, you do not have to get angry:

• Lower your tone of voice, especially if others are raising theirs.

• Respectfully and calmly ask people to explain their points of view or clarify issues.

• Listen well, and don't interrupt.

• Calmly provide your opinion.

If conversations become emotional and heated, they can stray from the intended focus of the discussion. By remaining and responding in a calm manner, this can help diffuse the emotion in the conversation.

People focus on more than just what is being said, which is the emotion behind it, and may take a difference of opinion personally. God says that a gentle answer turns away wrath. Remember to use a gentle approach when confronted with this type of situation. In this way, you are again taking your faith to work in a very practical and God-honoring way.

Taking This to God in Prayer

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for Your provision of wisdom for every situation which can occur in my workplace. Lord, help me to be gentle and calm in the midst of any stormy conversations. Help me remember You are with me in every room and have provided a way to deal with difficult conversations. Please help me demonstrate You at work in all my conversations. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

This week, be well-versed in avoiding heated discussions! We would love to hear your stories about using this Godly approach at work.

God Bless!

Bonny, Christian Women at Work

Expressing the Fruit of the Spirit at Work: Patience

"Again?!?!" I thought when a coworker failed to leave something in the expected state at the end of their shift.

And then I heard the quiet voice whisper, "Yes, again. Just as I am patient over and over with you when you fail. Show the same patience towards this staff person."

You may be like me and not be a person of great patience when faced with a repetitive failure, the unexpected such as a power failure, or a perceived character flaw in one of your staff or customers.

When we walk out Kingdom values, as we have been discussing together in this series on Expressing the Fruit of the Spirit at work, one of the foundational aspects which help glue the rest together is PATIENCE, or forbearance, depending upon your translation of the Bible.

PATIENCE is defined by the Oxford Language Dictionary as: "the capacity to accept or tolerate delay, trouble, or suffering without getting angry or upset." Forbearance is outlined as "patient self-control; restraint and tolerance" by the same dictionary, showing us that patience helps control our behavior and emotions.

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law." (Galatians 5:22-23 ESV)

I don't believe that patience is listed towards the middle of this verse in error, but to remind us that even if we have one or two of these fruit of the Spirit, we really need them all to help us truly walk out our faith, especially at work.

Each of the following verses includes both patience and another of the fruit, emphasizing the need for them to work together within us:

"Hot tempers cause arguments, but patience brings peace." (Proverbs 15:18)

"Love is patient and kind; it is not jealous or conceited or proud; it is not arrogant." (1 Corinthians 13:4)

"Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer." (Romans 12:12)

"Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience." (Colossians 3:12)

"Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love." (Ephesians 4:2)

Here are 5 challenges to undertake to become a more patient person, especially at work.

1. Take a few minutes, and speak the above verses out loud. Ask yourself which one speaks the most to you, and invite God to reveal what you are meant to learn for it. Commit this verse to memory as you walk it out daily.

2. Who are you the most impatient within your workplace? If you don't know why, ask God to show you why. Take a moment to give the reason over to God and ask Him to replace your impatience with patience. Forgive the person, and invite Holy Spirit to guide you into becoming a more patient person around them.

3. The next time the printer runs out of paper, the power goes out, the order gets lost in the mail, etc? Pause momentarily, close your eyes, and breathe in & out as you process this unexpected situation. If you are still impatient, pray for God to help you remain calm and professional as you face what is causing you stress.

4. Are you characterized by impatience? If so, you may need to discuss this with your mentor or a professional counselor/therapist, depending on the root of your impatience. Being patient is not only a trait of a person of faith but a good business employee, manager, or owner.

5. Remind yourself when you slip up in the area of being patient that the next time is the perfect time to express patience. Forgive yourself for the impatient moment, and move forward confident that God will help you if you invite Him into the next situation.

Taking This to God in Prayer:

God, there are moments when I know I am not as patient as I should or could be at work. I know that often, I haven't taken care of my own needs for downtime, proper eating & adequate hydration when things get busy. And when I am not running on optimum, I open myself up to instantly react instead of pausing to pray and respond with Your guidance. I am sorry, God, for not taking this characteristic of Your Spirit more seriously. Would You point out anything I need to work on so I can leave impatience behind me, and be known as a woman of patience to those I lead, work with or serve? In Jesus' Name, Amen.

May I remember to be patient with others out of gratitude for Your patience with me, God.

Walking alongside you as we become more patient Christian women at work,

Karla Lees, Christian Women at Work