In the workplace, people need not only to perform well but also to navigate interpersonal relationships. Sister Xu addressed this topic by exploring the challenges of workplace relationships and presenting two key principles for managing them effectively.
To begin her talk, Sister Xu invited two Christian women to share their struggles with interpersonal relationships at work. This allowed the audience to reflect on their personal experiences as they engaged with biblical teachings on the topic.
Two Christian Women Face Workplace Dilemmas
Sister Yong'en, who works in the finance department of a real estate company, encountered a challenging situation when she discovered that errors in her reports were caused by incomplete data provided by the Human Resources Department. Following the advice of her finance director, she reported the issue to the boss and recommended improvements in HR processes. However, the finance director turned against her, reporting her to the HR director. As a result, both directors began to distance themselves from her. After transferring to a new department, she found herself isolated, with neither director cooperating with her. During a business trip, she was even booked on a separate flight from the rest of the team by HR. She was left to wrestle with the question: should she continue to endure in silence or speak up and defend herself?
Sister Xiaoling, an instructor at an educational institution, works under a Christian boss. While her teaching assistant handles administrative matters outside the classroom, Xiaoling is left with a heavy workload. After a year of long hours and little time for her family, she raised her concerns with her boss. He noted the reduction in the students due to the declining birth rate and promised to assign her a new assistant. In a subsequent conversation, however, when she again expressed her limitations, her boss responded by emphasizing spirituality, urging her to "do all things through God." She now faces a dilemma: should she submit to her superior's expectations or stand firm in expressing her concerns?
Biblical Teachings on Workplace Relationships
What does it mean to experience "victory" in workplace relationships? Sister Xu explained that this kind of victory can be understood on four levels. The first is winning arguments and asserting one's opinions. The second is maintaining harmonious relationships and peaceful coexistence. The third is cooperating effectively to achieve mutually beneficial outcomes.
"The fourth and highest level of victory," she emphasized, "is exalting God's name in the workplace and fulfilling one's mission there."
Sister Xu pointed out that difficulties in workplace relationships often stem from issues such as jealousy, competition, pride, fear, and deceit. She cited biblical examples: Cain killed Abel out of jealousy; Jacob deceived his brother Esau to take the birthright; Saul sought to kill David out of fear. She concluded that "challenges in workplace relationships are often the very means through which God reveals and refines the issues within Christians' lives."
Sister Xu shared that Christians can achieve true victory in workplace relationships through two key understandings: knowing God and knowing oneself. This means recognizing that God is sovereign over all relationships, that He is the God who provides, and that believers are His children, who are called to be kings and royal priests.
She illustrated this through the life of Isaac. When Isaac saw Ishmael cast out and Abraham's other sons sent away, he understood that he was the true heir. When he was bound on the altar and his father raised the knife, he witnessed the appearance of the lamb provided by God and came to know Jehovah Jireh, the Lord who provides. Later, when he was tempted to flee to Egypt during a famine but chose instead to obey God's command and remain in Gerar, he reaped a hundredfold harvest in that same year, again experiencing God's provision. Finally, when Abimelech, king of the Philistines, expelled Isaac but later returned to make a covenant with him because of God's evident blessing, Isaac came to understand his identity as both a king and a priest called to bless others.
"This process is one's faith being shaped step by step," said Sister Xu.
Quoting Scripture, she emphasized, "Add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love." She explained that in the context of the workplace, while salvation is the foundation, believers must also reflect on which stage of these "Eight Steps of the Spiritual Journey" they need to practice for victory in interpersonal relationships.
Sister Xu used the example of Jacob to illustrate how damaged relationships can be restored through the "Eight Steps of the Spiritual Journey":
Faith: God commanded Jacob to return to his father's house. Though aware of Esau's hatred, Jacob obeyed God's instruction.
Goodness: Jacob prepared generous gifts for Esau, including cattle, sheep, camels, and other valuables, as a gesture of goodwill.
Knowledge: Demonstrating wisdom, Jacob divided the gifts into multiple groups and sent them ahead in stages, using his servants to appease Esau.
Self-control: At the ford of Jabbok, Jacob wrestled with God and was left with a limp. This marked the point where he stopped relying on his strength, breaking free from the grip of the flesh.
Perseverance: When he finally met Esau, Jacob bowed to the ground seven times, showing persistent humility.
Godliness: Jacob honored Esau by saying, "To see your face is like seeing the face of God," revealing his reverence and spiritual insight.
Mutual Affection: Esau ran to meet Jacob; the two embraced, wept, and kissed, which was the sign of restored brotherly affection.
Love: Having experienced God's grace and provision, Jacob's heart was filled with love, extending that love to others.
Their Final Choices
Faced with the interpersonal challenges, Sister Yong'en turned to prayer, asking God to remove the colleagues with whom she had conflicts and to grant her an annual salary of 500,000 yuan. In time, those colleagues left the company for various reasons, and her salary target was met. Later, when the HR director discovered that Sister Yong'en had never reported him, their relationship was reconciled.
Being distressed, Sister Xiaoling confided in her spiritual partner, who offered her support. She then had a third conversation with her boss, during which she shared the facts, her feelings, and her needs. The following day, during a study session, God moved her boss, and the two reached a mutual understanding. Reflecting on the experience, Xiaoling testified that God was teaching her to speak up for herself and to live in His love.
Originally published by the Christian Times
- Edited by Katherine Guo and translated by Poppy Chan
