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Moving On

Yet another dear friend of mine left his toxic workplace behind today.  I know letting go is hard, but, SO many times, the things we are actually forced to do are often best for us.
I think it took me about a year to "detox" from that place----all the intimidation, the pressure, and mortification that everyday brought...it can take a toll on you!
I wish you well, my friend, and hope that you FINALLY get to find the things that make you happy.

Being forced to leave a job has to be one of the most degrading things that can happen to a person.  When discipline is used, not to teach, but to punish and humiliate, it completely deviates from its intent.  Today, I'm talking to anyone out there who has been subjected to workplace bullying that comes down the chain of command.

People that have achieved greatness know that we, as individuals, are not defined by what others think of us.
Eleanor Roosevelt once said that "No one can make you feel inferior without your consent."*

As I struggled to live in that kind of mindset, I found enlightenment and encouragement in the following scripture:
"Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ. " -- Galatians 1:10

We all have learned that you can't please everybody.  We can't even live up to our OWN expectations.
What we CAN do is endeavor to live to please God every day.  This takes the focus away from our own selfish ambitions, cluttered with hangups and misconceptions, and puts emphasis on "the big picture." 
Do everything as if your reward comes from God's pleasure in your hard work, instead of looking for affirmation from other people.  GIVE more than you get, LET GO of the need to get credit, praise, or accolades from an environment that will never be true to you the way God is.  Nobody loves you like He does, and nobody can see you the way He sees you.  Nobody knows the VAST extent of your talents and capabilities the way God sees them. 

Think of Joseph, and all that he endured.  Betrayed and rejected by his own brothers, sold into slavery, thrown into prison on a false charge.  Few have known such injustice and persecution, yet he rose above it to become a tremendous, powerful leader---second only to the King in authority.  It's all because he trusted God, and refused to be degraded, as people would have degraded him.  He refused to give anyone permission to make him feel inferior.

This may be an irreverent reference to a tragic incident, but I can think of few things as tragic as a child of God being misused and degraded...I'm going to tell you this: don't drink the koolaid.
Whenever your workplace serves you a cup of offense, unkindness, or humiliation, don't consume it. 
Accepting and internalizing the wrongdoing that's directed at you is NOT a part of the job.

Whenever you look at yourself and see a failure, an outcast, a total flop...REFUSE to swallow that poison they are serving you.  Don't give them permission to make you feel inferior.  Instead, channel all those hurt feelings into a passion to achieve, and go do your best, making the most of your gifts for God's glory.  He's the one who will always understand you, appreciate you, and elevate you.

Instead of drinking the koolaid, drink this:

"I keep my eyes always on the LORD.
   With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken. "  -- Psalm 16:8

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