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Relationships are the sandpaper of life. Isn’t it often true that the relationship struggles of your life are used by God to refine you and teach you and help you grow to maturity? I want to talk about five biblical principles we need to know when we are experiencing relationship difficulties on our jobs.
The Extra-Mile Principle
We are called to have an extra-mile attitude in our relationships with others. Matthew 5:38-41 is pretty clear about this:
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth. But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles.”
What does it mean to have an extra-mile attitude, to turn the other cheek, to give your cloak as well as your shirt? Don’t you think Jesus was trying to teach us
- to endure unfair treatment at times, without griping or complaining?
- to refrain from saying some of the things we would like to say to that difficult coworker.
- to do some work we don’t have to do or want to do?
- to put in extra time and effort to help a difficult person?
Surely that is all a part of this extra mile principle. And it would lead you to endure at times, and to do more than perhaps even your employer would require or expect of you. But there is also a balance we must find. I believe that Jesus gave us boundaries with this extra mile principle, and he definitely is not teaching us to endure any kind of treatment or to put up with unacceptable behavior or habits forever and never say anything negative to anyone.
Do you go the extra mile with those difficult relationships? The extra mile principle is one we need to apply to difficult relationships and when we are willing to go that extra mile, it can often open a door for a miracle.