I once had a supervisor who would call me on the phone everyday, late in the workday. Since we lived and worked in different states, I think part of the reason for the call was to make sure that I was still working. But the troubling part of the call was that every day he found something to criticize me about. He always had a harsh tone and used disturbing language.
After more than a year of these daily calls, he was given a new supervisor over himself. It didn’t take long to discover that the new supervisor was treating my supervisor the same way that he had been treating me. One day during our daily call I thanked him for not passing onto me the added pressure that he was under. And I told him that I was praying for him. He thanked me at the time, but a greater change occurred later. When he needed someone to fill a position in his office, he chose me. Our relationship had indeed changed.
Romans 12:14-18 says, “Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.”
I could have become angry with my supervisor and bad-mouthed him to others. I couldn’t see how that would help me or him. So when I got the chance to show a little compassion, I did it in the only way I could, by praying for him and thanking him. Returning evil for the trouble I felt was not a good option. So I humbled myself and submitted to his authority. God made a good thing happen as a result.
Reluctant Retiree 