I sat on the stool while she once again picked me apart. I had been working at my new job for only a month, and she took every opportunity to point out everything she felt I did wrong. This woman had made my first day horrible, and each time I worked with her was like scratching at a raw wound. Finally, I told my husband that if her nit-picking continued, I was either going to tell her off or quit.
As He often does, God spoke through my Bible study the next morning. I was reading 2 Samuel 3 with First5. In this passage, Joab was frustrated that David made peace with Abner–the general previously loyal to Saul–and warned that Abner was trying to deceive David. Joab also had a personal reason for revenge—Abner had killed Joab’s brother in battle.
“Now when Abner returned to Hebron, Joab took him aside into the gateway, as though to speak with him privately. And there, to avenge the blood of his brother Asahel, Joab stabbed him in the stomach, and he died.” 2 Samuel 3:27
Through trickery and deceit, Joab killed Abner. David was furious, declaring his own innocence and mourning Abner’s death. He also pronounced a curse, proclaiming there would always be someone in Joab’s household suffering from running sores, leprosy, use of a crutch, or killed by the sword or hunger. I doubt that was the way Joab thought things would end.
The Bible study supplemented the Old Testament story with this New Testament Scripture:
“Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: ‘It is mine to avenge; I will repay, says the Lord.” Romans 12:9
Just like Joab needed to trust David to deal with Abner, I recognized my need to trust God in the situation with my female coworker. I wrote her name in my Bible next to the Scripture in Romans. In my Bible study book, I wrote, “Today, I commit my work relationship with ‘her name’ to you. I will not consider revenge or strive to appear righteous.”
Responsibility of Silence
I had no idea how to deal with this woman. I didn’t have a plan, but I knew I shouldn’t react with ugly words. God was swift to reveal what I needed to do. That same day, this woman did something inappropriate that was witnessed by many. Less than 24 hours after I recognized my responsibility to be silent, she was fired. I have praised God repeatedly for His deliverance.
I have wondered a few times if I should have spoken up. However, I am better able to consider my possible responses and recognize now that none of them would have honored God. Through this experience, I learned I don’t need the last word. Jesus was the Word made Flesh, the First and Last, the Alpha and Omega. I need only be silent and watch Him work.
