Thursday, December 4, 2014

Trusting God in the Workplace: But Lord, I Had an Excuse to be Mean!"



Ever felt like you had an excuse to cut up or treat someone bad? Maybe, someone treated you badly? Maybe things didn't go your way or maybe you feel like you had a RIGHT to be upset. 
I have felt the SAME way. Let me share my story.. 
I was working with a venue for an event and I felt like the customer service was TERRIBLE. I am passionate about the events that the Lord gives me and I felt like the person I was working with was like a grimy used car salesman, trying to get over on me. 
I was ready to take my issues to corporate because I wanted everybody to feel my wrath. 
Then, the Lord AND my husband convicted my heart. 
The Lord said, the same grace that I give you daily.. I need you to give it to them. 
Wait, WHAT LORD? I don't like how they do business! As I fussed at Him, tears came to my eyes. Why is it that I am so hard on others (even if they are wrong) but at the same time I forget that I need the same grace from the Lord daily?! I'm reminded of this story in Matthew 18: 24-33:
 24 And when he had begun to settle accounts, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. 25 But as he was not able to pay, his master commanded that he be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and that payment be made. 26 The servant therefore fell down before him, saying, ‘Master, have patience with me, and I will pay you all.’ 27 Then the master of that servant was moved with compassion, released him, and forgave him the debt. 28 “But that servant went out and found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii; and he laid hands on him and took him by the throat, saying, ‘Pay me what you owe!’ 29 So his fellow servant fell down at his feet and begged him, saying, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you all.’30 And he would not, but went and threw him into prison till he should pay the debt. 31 So when his fellow servants saw what had been done, they were very grieved, and came and told their master all that had been done. 32 Then his master, after he had called him, said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you begged me.33 Should you not also have had compassion on your fellow servant, just as I had pity on you?’ 34 And his master was angry, and delivered him to the torturers until he should pay all that was due to him.
I'm reminded of this because I am the person that owes a tiny bit. When I messed up in the past, I begged God to forgive me! As I repent daily for any known or unknown sin, I'm humbled by His grace & desperately need Him! Everything is great. THEN, I get tested with the person who is trying to WORK my nerves.. AND I want him to know that I think you're trying to get over on me and I don't like bad business! 
SO, because God forgave ME, I'm going to trust His word when He says .. "A gentle answer turns away wrath." Instead of fussing with whoever, I'm going to really let God fight my battles. I'm going to trust His timing and His ways and know that I don't have to be this all-powerful-superwoman-business woman. I need to be a servant of the Lord and trust that HE has my back. Its like, over the years I worked with high power business women that were at times, difficult to work with and no-nonsense. And I think it's ok to have standards and be a good business woman BUT if we are being mean, rude and just plain emotional, that aint biblical.  So, please, don't take this that you have to be some wimp. The Proverbs 31 woman was a STRONG businesswoman but she understood submission to God & her husband. She knew that she had to be led by God in her dealings and not what she picked up from other bosses. 
Lets ponder this: HOW are we any different than the world if we fight like them? Bicker like them? Argue like them? I had to ask myself, Heather.. where did you get this mindset concerning doing business?
Romans 12:2 says "And be not fashioned according to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, and ye may prove what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God."
And, my husband checked me.. in saying that I needed to speak directly to who is causing the strife, not run to his manager and complain. Now, THAT was hard but He was right. I never had a full convo with the guy and it's been through email. Is it even fair? Even after we had our conversation, I still wasn't 100% satisfied but I realized that the Lord is growing my faith. Even if my event is Christian and I want Gods glory to hit that place.. along the way I may work with unbelievers. I may work with people that are trying to ruffle my feathers & are being used by the enemy! If the enemy knows what drives me nuts, he's gonna send people my way to distract me in that very area. BUT God will use it to mature me if I pass the test. 
So, are you giving into the bait of that co-worker.. that family member... that friend.. that boss that is DRIVING you up the wall? This is your chance to grow! You've been asking God to use you and then when the test came, you ran! You responded like you used to in the world! The proof is in your pudding honey and at times we can be so emotional that we don't even give the Lord a chance to FIGHT on our behalf. 
So, who is fighting your battles?
You?
Or the Lord?
It MAY be hard to grasp this concept of truly resting and trusting the Lord because we are in a society that screams, "MOVE, take ACTION, STAND UP FOR YOURSELF!" But at the same time, the Lord may be speaking into your heart to rest. With a whisper He is trying to show you your own heart. That you move & take action and you don't wait for his response. You move based on your high emotions. You move based on how you feel that day. You move based on what you saw on TV. You move based on what mama & whoever said. God sent you to that place to be an example but.. you haven't started because you're too busy arguing with spirits. We have to remember that this fight is not PHYSICAL but spiritual! 
And don't get me wrong, there's a time for correction in the workplace. But I can assure you that God will show you where YOU need to change long before He shows you where your co-worker needs to change. 

BUT guess what? God repays us when we are treated badly & we are honoring Him.  I don't know about you, but I want the Lords rewards.. not this worlds. (1 Peter 2)
How long must the Lord fight with you to get His point across? 
Just a few things:

1. There's a BOOK sale today & tomorrow! ALL of our books are only $10 each! Check it out via www.pinkypromiseboutiques.com. No code needed! :)

2. We have developed an APP! Think: daily post notifications + weekly devotionals, recipes and so much more! It's out NOW for iphones + Androids. Under Heather & Cornelius Lindsey: Today With the Lindsey's

3.  If you live in Atlanta, I want to invite you to our church. Join us on Sundays at 11:00am at Landmark Art Cinemas. Our churches name is: "The Gathering Oasis"  931 Monroe Drive NE Atlanta, GA. We also have our New Years Service at the same place at 10pm EST!

4. My book is selling like crazy! I'm so thankful for all of you that have supported! Check it out here: My New Book! Pink Lips & Empty Hearts:  www.PinkLipsAndEmptyHearts.com AND my new book,  Dusty Crowns, here! 

5. Register for the 2015 Pinky Promise in Atlanta, GA! It sold out last year, so you don't want to miss out! www.pinkypromiseconference.com 

6. As always, you can join a Pinky Promise group locally! There's about 30,000 ladies that have joined! Find a group near you by joining & checking out the intro page! Join here:www.PinkyPromiseMovement.com

God loves you like crazy, 
I love ya'll!

Heather Lindsey 


19 comments:

  1. Thank you for sharing that was God being right on schedule its not about my workplace but its definitely about my emotions thank you

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  2. As always Heather your messages are right on time! I thank God for giving you the word that I needed to hear. I have struggled in this area far too long. I see it now plain as day. Thanks sis!

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  3. Very good I feel this blog post is for me I am a nanny and the children and the mother drives me against the wall and I thought I was trying hard to show grace but after reading this it made me realise I haven't been doing that, I really want this people to be transformed because they are unbelievers and I hope they can come to christ through me

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  4. This is AAh-mazing! I just went through this a couple hours ago! And before I completely went off, I sat at my desk and prayed, then I went into the bathroom and prayed some more....then I got your email...PRAISE GOD! and I was planning on going to my director about the issue, just to be my coworker to the punch, as she already made it known that she was going to complain. But I'm going to fall back and hold my peace and let my Heavenly Father fight my battles. Thank you Heather! And may God bless you!!!

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  5. This literally just happened to my now at work today. It is taking everything in me not to say something back. I'm very quiet but I do not do well with people getting upset for THEIR error. Only for them to finally realize it was THEIR error after they bad mouthed me to other people. Yeah, an apology would suffice. But God...... Please pray for me.

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  6. I just really needed this. I am just so mad this week about the things that are going on with the Eric Garner case thinking how unfair life is . I just want to rant and fave. I keep justifying why I should be mad about people making stupid remarks... It's just been a tiring week. But I was reminded that Jesus is with me/us in all of this and that He went through way worst than anyone of us ever will. I don't deserve His love. Thanks for sharing





    Dearest Trent... I feel your sadness, not just because I am a black women with three phenomenal brothers and biracial nephews, that I worry about daily . I am sad for the many lives of all HUMAN beings taken by the hands of those who meant to protect us. I grieve for Kelly Thomas, the homeless white man that was killed in the same manner as Eric Garner, his death was also caught on tape and yet the two cops got off. I pray the love ones who must deal with the loss daily. I grieve that Christians can be so quick to beat you down in your pain or for anything that addresses the sins that Jesus Him self would speak out against and not view as "too controversial". Let's is stand firm in the truth! God's truth not "mans truth" or feelings and call sin what it is. Take heart Jesus has overcome, but for now I/we should mourn with those who mourn.

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  7. I am soooo in AWE!!!!! I just went through this
    with my daughter's daycare workers and their unprofessional behavior and lack of customer
    sservice. I chose to handle it my way (I don't
    do unprofessional in a business setting) Boi did God convict me! I needed this message. .GRACE

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  8. Thank you so much for sharing sis... I am also reminded of Proverbs 19:11 Sensible people control their temper; they earn respect by overlooking wrongs. Although Im not currently working I've had many opportunities to practice my patience and love walk towards others who don't treat me right. This was a beautiful reminder and I'm so happy with you for passing that test ����✔️ To God be the Glory

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  9. Omg, this was right on time. Thank you so much for this, and for being obedient. God Bless

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  10. Thank u so much Heather. I needed that! Its seems like everytime i read something of yours, u always seem to b in the same place that i am in. I 1st heard about u through ur sister Kristi(i work with her). I have luvd u every since i read your book earlier this year. May GOD bless u as u continue to do HIS WORK BY HIS WILL. NO WEAPON FORMED AGAINST YOU SHALL PROSPER, BECAUSE IF GOD IS FOR YOU WHO COULD BE AGAINST YOU. Luv u my sister in CHRIST.

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  11. All I can say is great job again.

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  12. What would you say to someone who is going through a really difficult time at a job because one of the co-workers is spreading false rumors about me, and has successfully turned every single person in the office against me? I'm trying really hard to leave it in the Lord's hands, but things look pretty hopeless, and the stress that has resulted from all this is taking a toll on me.There's not a day that goes by that I don't think about getting fired as a result of her lies.

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    1. GOD HAS UR BACK. HE SAID VENGEANCE IS HIS!!!STAY HUMBLE & SAVED & WATCH HIM WORK!!TOUCH NOT MY ANOINTED & DO MY PROOHETS NO HARM . THAT'S WHAT HE SAID...& HE ALSO SAID HIS WORD WIlL NOT COME BACK TO HIM VOID!!!

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  13. This was truly on time for me!! Thanks for sharing what God has placed on your heart!!

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  14. I'm with Crystal. Great job and thank you for allowing God to use you and your words for the lives of others.

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  15. Amen! thank you Lord for using Heather as a vessel!

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