Taking It to Work:
I was a pretty tough father. I wanted to give my kids the best start in life that I could give them, and I decided early on that I was not going to forgo discipline, even though I knew I was not going to enjoy it. I read some great books by Dr. James Dobson that set me on my way to have a good balance in the loving training and discipline of my children.
One thing that surprised me though, as I progressed in my parenting, was the effective use of not correcting everything. Yes, it brought with it a sort of inconsistency, although . . . just a touch, just enough to reflect our heavenly Father’s patience with me. How so, and why are we talking about kids in a work devotional? Hang in there; there are great similarities!
The bible clearly says that we should be consistent in our discipline of our children, but as the Lord has shaped me, He has used patience and kindness far more than rebuke. We all need to learn right from wrong, but I can say from experience, patient encouragement is the greater shaper of men.
At work we can make similar mistakes as we do in parenting, especially if we are leaders. Many managers in the workplace are great at finding fault, criticizing, and dishing out corrective action, and yet take very little action if things are going as planned. Although, just like with children, those receiving primarily only negative attention can react in ways that just make things worse. Where a child will isolate from their parents, the employee will avoid the boss, additional responsibility, and may even eventually, “run away from home,” to a different company, just to get away from all the negativity.
Patient encouragement has its place at work as well. Sometimes, it is time to discipline, but not every time, not even most of the time in a professional environment. Patient, positive training is not only effective, but it is scriptural. If you think about it, it is exactly how the Lord brings us to maturity. We mature slow too don’t we? It took a long time didn’t it?
Patient, forgiving, and long-suffering – that is the God who is training us.
So, when teaching someone to do a new task, or absorb another responsibility at work, especially if that task or responsibility would be easy for us, losing our temper and growing impatient can happen if we perceive that they are not trying as hard, or not progressing as we would like. Remember God’s patience with us; we are still maturing under His wonderful grace and forgiveness. We need to show that same grace to others, and give them time to grow, as His Word works in us and them, today.
Exodus 34:6 (ESV) – The LORD passed before him and proclaimed, “The LORD, the LORD, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness,
Prv 29:17 (ESV) – Discipline your son, and he will give you rest; he will give delight to your heart.
Heb 12:11 (ESV) – For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.
2 Timothy 2:24-25 (ESV) – And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness.
Ecclesiastes 7:9 (ESV) – Be not quick in your spirit to become angry; for anger lodges in the heart of fools.
1 Cor 13:4-5 (ESV) – Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy,…It does not dishonor others, …it is not easily angered…
Listening to the Holy Spirit (Rhema):
Grace is given that they would grow. You were given time to mature and judgment was not made quickly. I give room for mistakes, for as a child grows, less mistakes will be made. I am long-suffering with My children, that they would find their way to Me. You must be patient with those you train, as I am patient with you – forgiveness with the understanding that there is growth in the allowance. Correct gently, that they would not lose heart. Encourage as you have been encouraged. Those put in your charge to grow will be stunted under the pressure of impatience and unforgiveness. Kindness moves the heart faster than the whip. A gentle word brings forth fruit, but the harsh word stirs up wrath. Train gently what you want to grow.
