“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritancefrom the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.“
Colossians 3:23-24
Our work place can be one of the hardest places to set boundaries. When we are the boss we may expect too much or too little of our employees (which are both bad) and create an unhappy work environment. When we are the employee and not the boss, we are given responsibilities that are not our strengths or even in our job description! This can lead to resentment and frustration in the work place if there isn’t good communication and/or boundaries set.
There are also those who do not work for someone, but volunteer, lead projects, and serve in many capacities for our churches, schools, and communities. The same problems arise in these areas as well! A paycheck certainly cranks up the anxiety of saying, “No,” but it doesn’t mean you cannot stand up for yourself.
No matter the work, we are always working for God. He sets our priorities and our standards. If your work place asks you to be less-than-honest, guess which boss you listen to? God. When you are the boss, who should you imitate in your leadership? God. The question is this- How does leadership affect you?
Let’s Pray:
1.) Think of one area you need better boundaries in work/volunteering. List the emotional and physical affects on you and your family.
2.) “Poor planning on your part does not constitute an emergency on my part.” Has someone ever spoken those words to you? Have you spoken them to someone else? How did it make you feel?
3.) God gives us wisdom in ALL things. No matter what struggle you are facing now with your leadership or another’s, He has a perfect solution. Spend time listening in prayer for what God wants to say to you. It may be about leadership, or it may not be. But He will use it all to reveal HIs heart to you.
*For more solutions for workplace struggles, refer to Chapter 11 in the Boundaries book.
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