In Romans 12, verses 6-8, Paul writes…
- If you preach, just preach God’s Message, nothing else;
- if you help, just help, don’t take over;
- if you teach, stick to your teaching;
- if you give encouraging guidance, be careful that you don’t get bossy;
- if you’re put in charge, don’t manipulate;
- if you’re called to give aid to people in distress, keep your eyes open and be quick to respond;
- if you work with the disadvantaged, don’t let yourself get irritated with them or depressed by them.
- Keep a smile on your face.
I’m not a preacher.
Sadly, I’m not typically the first to help.
I don’t fancy myself as a teacher.
I’m more of a listener than a guidance counselor.
I’m not put in charge too often.
Hmm. Called to give aid to people in distress. I think we have a winner. (I find I am okay at keeping my eyes open for this – and there’s always room for improvement – but I am not always as quick to respond as I should be. I tend to debate the action in my head first. Not good.)
Sometimes I feel like I work with the disadvantaged, and sometimes I get irritated with them and depressed by them… but I don’t think this is in regards to your co-workers.
Keeping a smile on your face requires dedication, and it’s not always easy. Unfortunately there was no “if” at the beginning of this one.
Which statement(s) above do you need to work on?