Today’s Blog: Beaten up or down?
TODAY’S PROVERB: Also, to punish a righteous person is not good, nor to beat up an honorable one for his integrity. Proverbs 17:26, TLV
I worked for a well-known company with divisions around the world. A few months after being hired in a clerical position, I was promoted to mid-level management. Yet, the longer I stayed, the less of the true me remained.
It began when my direct supervisor asked me to do something I felt was unethical. I responded by saying I didn’t feel comfortable doing that.
From that moment on, the attitude toward me changed. A sarcastic comment that belittled me. A condescending look as they walked by my desk. Whispers between co-workers after I contributed to a meeting. More demands from managers that meant more ethical compromise. Finally, it was clear. It was time to move on.
No matter how great the salary, little by little my identity as a child of GOD was being chipped away. At what point would my unwillingness to compromise be seen as insubordination? I had to make a choice. Would I step out in faith and find another job? Or continue to compromise?
When we’re beat up or down . . .
There are many ways to “beat” up — or down — someone. In this world, integrity is attacked regularly. It can feel hopeless to stand in the face of the recurring onslaughts of mocking and persecution for having Biblical faith and values.
But, if we stand together with our Heavenly Father, the bullies of this world tend to run. And, even if they don’t, our Father will be with us whatever happens.
[A Psalm] Of David.
KING DAVID, PSALM 26:1, TLV
Vindicate me, Adonai,
for I have walked in my integrity,
and trusted in Adonai without wavering.
Leaving that job was scary. But, it was liberating. And even though I no longer am in the company of men and women of wealth and power, I am free.
And, I learned a valuable lesson: compromising integrity and a life of faith for positions of power will bleed a person dry. That standing firm in our faith, may require walking away.
May we stand firm, my friends.
Proverbs 17:26 Tree of Life Version – TLV, #tlvbible, #tlvproverbs
