Facing The Consequences

Facing the Consequences

We who are strong must be considerate of those who are sensitive about things like this. We must not just please ourselves. We should help others do what is right and build them up in the Lord.

Romans 15:1-2

After much prayer and a return to her own study of the Word, Diane decided to resign her position. She offered to stay until a replacement was found, but Perfect was furious at what she called Diane’s lack of gratitude and insisted Diane leave immediately. She drove home in tears.

The next morning, though, she called several friends to ask if they knew of other job opportunities. Soon she cautiously accepted a position with another author, whom I’ll call Mrs. Peace. Diane was delighted and relieved to find that Peace lived out her faith each day and quietly taught the young woman what it means to listen to the Lord even in the midst of an intense schedule.

One of the lessons Diane learned from her new boss was the truth of Romans 15:1-2: “We who are strong must be considerate of those who are sensitive about things like this. We must not just please ourselves. We should help others do what is right and build them up in the Lord.”

As she watched her employer encourage the other members of the speaking team, she saw the truth of the Lord’s words in John 13:34-35 lived out: “I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.”

This woman had a gentle way of encouraging her teammates and her staff as she publicly pointed out their strengths. If she had a suggestion about something one of her staff members should consider, that suggestion was offered in private. And always, Diane watched in quiet amazement. —SANDRA

Lord, that old English proverb about catching more flies with honey than with vinegar is true. And as I remember that flies and bees and butterflies are attracted to sweetness and repelled by tartness, help me to remember that people are drawn to kindness and repelled by criticism. Help me to sweetly and lovingly speak your truth to this hurting world.

Kindness has converted more sinners than zeal, eloquence, or learning.

—FREDERICK WILLIAM FABER (1814–1863), BRITISH HYMN WRITER AND THEOLOGIAN