Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 3:00 — )
PROGRAM D-8317
Are toxic coworkers driving you crazy? I’m exploring ways to deal with toxic people—particularly toxic coworkers—people you are forced to be with daily and they have habits or attitudes that are driving you. . .well, crazy!
I have enumerated some characteristics of toxic people. Basically, they are people who somehow poison the atmosphere where they are with their attitudes and behavior. I also pointed out that as Christians dealing with toxic people, our first challenge is to remember that God loves that person just as much as he loves you. We must see them through God’s eyes.
The second important thing to remember is that person is not in your life by accident. God is allowing it—not approving of their behavior, mind you, but allowing that person in your life for some good reason. It could be to help you grow in grace because you must deal with them. It could be for the good influence you could have on that toxic person. Or it could be both. But trust me, God has some good reason for that person being in your life.
We are told in Scripture: “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone” (Romans 12:18). That’s our assignment for dealing with toxic people. Others may live by more commonly accepted relationship principles, such as, Look out for number one! Don’t take any guff! Stand up for your rights! They may have no motivation to “live at peace with everyone,” but we are called to this Christ-like objective. It is a lofty one; it is one that is often out of step with the world’s wisdom; it is often not appreciated or valued by others. But as disciples of Jesus Christ, it is our guiding principle.
Let me assure you that when you can respond to toxic people with more patience, more kindness, and less anger than others, you are demonstrating the love of Jesus and it won’t be missed. Your coworkers may not believe in God, they may never go to church, they may even think you are some kind of religious fanatic, but they cannot escape the difference in the way you respond to toxic people, when you allow God’s Spirit to empower you to respond like Jesus would.
So, keep these two things in mind—namely, that God loves them as much as he loves you, and that no one is in your life by accident; God has a purpose for allowing that person in your life.