Facing the Facts, Together

God requires men to be men

Lately, I’ve had the opportunity to counsel a lot of young men lately, about how to handle unreasonable bosses. We have bosses requiring their employees to work weekends, requiring them to be available whenever they call, expecting their employees to travel at short notice, at their own expense; Some  not even paying them back! And when the employees get upset they just tell them, “Leave if you don’t like it” or some other more colorful remark intended to offend.

When you have a boss like this, when you don’t know what to do, as your boss is again calling you on the weekend, try to remember what God says in the Bible: Be wise as serpents, gentle as doves; Remain resolute yet calm. And can you remember, as you are trying not to get angry again, that it isn’t about you after all?

Let me explain…

I was reminded recently of what is most important when you are treated unjustly: They are not abusing you but Jesus, if you are a Christian. If you recall, you gave up all your rights; You are Christs’ now? So, you see, when you’ve repented and trusted in Jesus to save you from your just reward for your sins, that it was you Jesus was speaking to when He said to take up your cross daily and follow after Him. Yup, this means you are to put down the old flesh, dieing to yourself, every single day.

In practical terms the death of self means that if you are offended, say by an obnoxious boss, you let it go, knowing Jesus will repay as HE chooses [This doesn’t mean, however, that you let him roll over you]. The death of self isn’t easy; Why else would Paul talk about having to beat his flesh into submission? It’s a process, sanctification is, to be sure. As I heard someone say recently, “It’s not about perfection, it’s about direction.” So relax, stay focused on Jesus and do what you know is right. But most of all keep in mind Jesus defends you.

Yes, I know it sounds so simple, but the most difficult situations always have a simple answer… Always…
Let me prove it to you:
Q: What am I here for?
A: To love God and enjoy Him forever.

Simple, right? Let’s try another:
Q: When my boss says I again have to work more hours than I was hired for what do I say?
A: Be a man.

Simply said, “Grow up.”
To put it in corporate terminology:

Learn how to set expectations honestly.

I’ve been called by men driving trucks, delivering packages, farm hands and a men who work in a variety of offices. I’ve had wives try to convince Joyce and I how ‘stupid’ their husbands are, how they would say this or that to their husband’s bosses if they could, how they are going to leave their husbands if he loses his job… and on and on. No matter what the discussion about employment struggles have been about we always come back to the same answers:

What is important? Who really is in control?

My wife and I reminded such wives that their homes are less important than their families, reminded such husbands that their pride is less important than their children eating, reminded such young men that being unemployed isn’t “The END” as their uncontrolled emotions are portraying the situation. And each time we’ve reached the same consensus:

We need not fear, fellow brothers and sisters in the LORD Jesus:
And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. (Colossians 3:15)

For those who have not surrendered to the Will of Jesus the One and Only Messiah I can only say, “Play the man.”, Just as I am reminded by God to do when I whine.

Will you have to give up some stuff? Probably. Will you have to move? Maybe. We did, have, many times.
You might also consider what you would do if you were unemployed? Just saying….

Will your life require some hardship? Definitely, if what I see is coming actually happens. Even now I hear, and am involved with, helping many struggling families. God requires men to be men for the witness of God on the Earth, for their wives, for their children, for their co-workers, for themselves. And when we refuse GOD turns up the heat…

So how hot do you want it, men?
How hard will God have to make your circumstance until you surrender your cares to Jesus?

Jesus loves you, and He wins.

So, as you take another long breath, remind yourself God IS in control; That Jesus IS INDEED LORD. and of Philippians 4:13. After all, if you are His you ARE suffering for HIS Name, even when you blow it – Isn’t that a relief? 🙂

Yes, yes, I know. You may say to me, “But I suffer because of me, the dumb things I do!” -and to this I remind you that Christ is your covering. He already knows you and He will discipline you when He sees the need. What you have done is HIS responsibility. He loves you Christian and He will provide for you even when you are being stupid. 😉

So when Jesus needs you to do something He will tell you when you need to hear it.
Until then, relax – let your old dead self stay dead and let Jesus be alive in you. And when your flesh rises up to lie to you about what you “need” to do, again, put it down once more and start over trsuting Jesus… it does get easier with practice. I promise.

Philippians 4:4-7 (WEB):
Rejoice in the Lord always! Again I will say, “Rejoice!” Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. In nothing be anxious, but in everything, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus.

The principle is clear, isn’t it? Amen, LORD Jesus!

Patrick Burwell, OnlyJesusSaves.com