“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things.” (Philippians 4:8)
One day, I was shopping in a Christian bookstore and saw a card that said, “Nothing is going to happen today that you and I cannot handle together - God.” A friend instantly came to mind, and I purchased the little card. Later that week, when visiting her in her home, I secretly put the card up on her fridge, which was covered with children’s art and hard to notice.
A few weeks later, my friend called me, asking if I had put up the card. She told me her mother had suffered a stroke shortly after the party, and she had been upset and worried. She shared how she had gone to her fridge to get something, noticed my card for the first time, and said they were the perfect words she needed to hear. What an encouragement it had been for her.
Sometimes it is evident someone needs to be encouraged. At other times, God goes ahead of us and sets things in place. We may not have any idea what an impact it may have! Our part is to “pay attention to the nudges” - those positive ideas or thoughts which suddenly come to mind regarding someone else. They seem to come unexpectedly but are really about God going ahead.
Our role as followers of Christ at work is to encourage others who need it, not to judge them. That is God’s role. When we interact with others, we can guide with counsel or criticism. As His daughters, we need to choose counsel.
As a business owner, I know firsthand that there are times when people need correction or feedback. However, it can be given in a counseling, encouraging, and supportive manner, not critically and disrespectfully.
This is what bringing your faith to work is about – treating others as you would like to be treated and bringing that into your “everyday workday.”
It may not be just regarding a work issue: there may be complicated issues in their personal life. It is not our role to judge what is happening or what went beforehand in their lives; it is our job to encourage them or “put courage” into them based on what they feel they need to do. They may ask you for your advice, and then you have an opportunity to offer counsel. However, remember to put yourself in their shoes. People going through challenging times need encouragement, not judgment.
Do not let those nudges pass by when you get them. Consider if they are lovely and true, kind and generous, that God may be sending you ahead to help or encourage someone as He did with my friend.
This week, be mindful of nudges that come to mind. Ask God to bring people to your mind and heart that need a special touch of encouragement. Consider that God may use you to be His helpful, loving, and encouraging arms at work and home. In this way, they will be encouraged, and so will you, as you see God bless others through you.