Ah, it’s Friday. It’s actually my Friday on an actual Friday! I start work at 4:00 PM today and right about now it is 3:24 PM. At the moment, I am extremely sleepy. Waking up at the wee morning of 6:50 AM and not being home until after 10 PM is so tiring.
Yesterday at work was actually the perfect day for living the day at peace. What I mean when I say perfect is well… not perfect. Lol. There were so many callouts that my department and another department was just short handed. My boss seemed frustrated as well. Usually when I was younger, other people’s emotions would transfer on to me and I would feel what they feel. It still happens today, but now I know how to separate my actual emotions and other people around me.
I asked God to give me a bit of grace and for constant reminders that I need not worry. Surprisingly, or should I even be surprised by now? That in my department, everything went as well as it could considering. Like, I don’t even know how I did it by myself at the end of the day? Well, truth be told, I felt God was swaying with me and calming the “busy” that retail stores can get. Coincidence? I think not! On top of that, I was in computer training for two hours and I was delayed to begin with. On a day like a Friday, where it should actually be busy, it was not. How amazing it is when you choose to give it to God.
in a wholesome view
It seems like living in peace at work works differently than at home. At home, I could check in every few hours, but on the days I work… not so much. So here I am just sharing my overall experience and thoughts.
The past couple of days at work just seemed the same. Here is what I gather… at work, there are just many people that can contribute to disturbing your peace. Coworkers frustrations in their own day to day, boss’s own plethora of dealings, customers that walk in and out, and customers who turn themselves to thieves without any convictions. As an introvert, this is a lot. Many outwardly things that can drain an introvert that makes me just want to hide in my bedroom. You know, this was actually me when I was younger.
As I got older, I began to create my own space in a crowded space. I began to learn that as I allow Jesus to walk with me day to day, He gives me this peaceful space. I give Him my trust and faith in Him, and in turn… He gives me peace. He quiets down my surroundings and gives me a room that I can dwell with Him.
take what is good and remove the invitation of evil
This part is actually annoying. Working with people constantly also means that there are many more conversations. If anyone knows me well, then it is known that I dislike drama and belittling. We have a few new people at work, and many are young. Maybe they’re in high school or maybe just graduated. Some are talkative and some are not. These are all normal things.
Some coworkers will openly talk badly about other people for reasons that are tiny – like a sand particle. What do I do or say? How uncomfortable. Do they speak about me this way when I’m not around? This year, I’ve made it a life goal to speak life to those who speak harm. I am learning as someone who loves how Jesus lived… I learned how Jesus spoke life to those who spoke evil. It’s kind of tough to digest a little because who am I to them to speak these things? But then I thought, If they could freely say these things to me, then I am free as well to respond the way I need to.
I also have to remove the world’s titles of a person. It doesn’t matter who they are: a coworker, a boss, an HR person, a boss’s boss. No one is entitled to anything. I think this is the hard part of the work force. We think we have to be careful of who, that we forget whose we are. As long as we treat these people and respond to them in a Christlike manner, then we are speaking life with love. Love does not mean doormat.
We are freed by Jesus’ blood. We have been forgiven, therefore we must live a life that speaks of Jesus. Take what is good means to also be joyful of everyone else’s good things. Respond with genuine love for them for the things they’ve achieved. Removing the invitation of evil means to not join in the gossip talk, not to agree with what they say, but give reasons instead to make them think. In truth, we are all in different aspects of life. What we deem as weird may not be weird to another. What we deem as stupid… should instead be brought up to God to take care of. Besides, when you know that other people are also God’s children… you are inclined to love them despite differences. And who are we? Not perfect.
my coin
I bring this coin to work. It’s the armor of God coin. It’s a coin that reminds me of each pieces that I need to wear daily. It’s a funny story, I ordered this from Etsy. One item. One coin. I received it very quickly in the mail a month ago. When I opened it… the seller gave me extras. Like wow, this is a nice item. It doesn’t feel cheap or anything. Now I have two coins, a keychain of the same thing, pennies with cross cutouts, and hmm, I think I forgot what else.
I first learned of this coin from a book I am reading. I learned about the book from a devotional that I found on the Bible app. It’s a great read. I’m not done reading the book but wow, it is a great read. I carry this coin everyday I’m at work because I put it in the pocket of my work vest. One day, I think God was talking to me to give these two coins to my fellow Christians at work. One is a young woman and the other is a young man. Do you know when God talks to you? It’s weird. Like He has “placed” a thought in your mind that is not your own. You don’t hear or see it, but you hear and see it, haha.
I don’t know what it is about meeting fellow Christians. It feels surreal. It feels comfortable and it feels like a magnetic pull. It’s an easy conversation and it feels like home. I wonder if that’s what Heaven feels like. Home. Everyone in it just feels like family.
These two people are the most hardworking people I’ve ever met in this building. Their dedication is unbelievable. Their yearning to help others is unending. I see their frustrations, too, though and I know they probably have the same battles as I do. The good part of empathy is feeling what others are feeling, therefore it’s a possibility to show support. I think God is telling me to give these to them so they also can be filled with His Spirit during their tough times – To remember to wear the armor and what it means.
what it means
Belt of Truth – the centerpiece of the armor that holds everything together. Jesus called the devil “a liar and the father of lies.” John 8:44 It is clear that our enemy is out to confuse believers and lie to them. “I am the way, the TRUTH and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” John 14:6
Breastplate of Righteousness – Guard our hearts. Our hearts are the wellsprings of life and out of the overflow of our hearts, we speak and act. Daily pour into God’s Word so that we might not sin against God.
Feet fitted with the gospel of peace – We are to be ready for action, moving in sync with the Holy Spirit. We are to “be prepared in season and out of season” (2 Timothy 4:2) to preach the Word.
Peace is an attribute of the Lord’s very person and character. Galatians 5:22. In Greek, peace means oneness or wholeness. The gospel, which good news, is the forgiveness of sins and access to and oneness with God through faith in Christ. This oneness with the Lord produces peace.
Ephesians repeatedly reminds us to “stand” and “stand firm.” One of the easiest ways for the enemy to succeed in shaking us loose from standing firm is to tempt us with worry. When we carry anxiousness and worry with us, we are robbed of peace. But the gospel of peace keeps our feet anchored and standing firm.
Shield of Faith – Extinguishes the flaming arrows from the enemy. One important way that we use our Shields of Faith is to lock shields with other believers. As we share with others our burdens and our areas where we are being attacked, and we Pray together, our Faith is strengthened.
When Paul wrote this passage, Roman soldiers carried shields that were covered with heavy animal hide. Before a battle, they would dip their shields into the water so that when fiery darts hit them, the wet hide would extinguish the darts.
In a similar way, a Christian’s shield of faith needs to be regularly dipped in the water of God’s word to be replenished and fully functional – because “faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God” (Romans 10:17).
Helmet of salvation– Guard our minds and reminder that we belong to Christ. We are free through Christ, therefore do not live as you are in chains. Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable- if anything is excellent or praiseworthy- think about such things.” We must daily be filling our minds with His Word and Abiding in Him, so our thoughts can become His thoughts. “We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” (2 Corinthians 10:5)
Sword of the Spirit – the Word of God is our weapon. The word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12 Since The Word of God is Jesus, when we use the Word against the enemy, we allow Jesus to fight the battle for us.
it’s just what it takes
This blog post is so long. I know. It’s just what it takes for me to live in peace at work. I read about the pieces of the armor as I look at the coin everyday because everyday I forget what it is. I carry the coin in my pocket because literally I even forget what the pieces are.
Today is my Friday. My literal Friday. Friday on a Friday! Ah, I am so relieved because even though I only work outside the home three days a week… I am extremely exhausted. I can’t wait to take my rest where I can wake up a little later on a Saturday.
Now it’s 10:20 AM on a beautiful, misty, and cold Friday. I’ve just finished my breakfast that consists of two raisin breads, three eggs, and a good cup of coffee. I will now finish watching ‘Maids’ tv series on Netflix and probably do a bunch of laundry. Or maybe not. With that said, I love you all. Have a wonderful and peaceful Friday and I will see you on the next page!
