Difficult co-worker

[irish1]

I know that Jesus commands us to love our neighbor, and that there is no merit in only loving those who love us.

Here’s my situation. I have a co-worker, with some authority over me, who is extremely negative. He has been on the job since 1994, and I only started in 2006, This job is extremely complex & stressful, with very important deadines. In addition accuracy is very important.

This co-worker, who is a lapsed Catholic who now worships in an Episcopalian church, is also a perfectionist, who doesn’t seem to have too much tolerance for the point I am on the learning curve, and the fact that I am not yet perfect (although I am working very hard to move in that direction).

I guess my main question is; How do I continue to respond to him with love, and how do I stay calm and serene (in order to be a good Christian witness)? Has one prayer or prayer method(s) been especially helpful for you? I understand that the same thing won’t work for everyone.

I am just returning from two weeks of a desperately needed vacation, and he is just starting a one week vacation.

 

[jimcav]

While your situation is certainly tough right now, its not much different than many of us face every day in our own lives.

The fact that your co-worker treats you this way seems to be no fault of your own. He seems insecure, since he’s been at the job far longer than you, and he might be looking at you and your work ethic as a threat. You can assure him in small, unspoken ways that your not a threat to his job and that he needn’t worry. Given time, he will probably start treating you better.

You said you just finished a desperately needed vacation, so hopefully that means your battery is re-charged and your spirit is renewed. Now your co-worker is going on his, and I’m sure in his mind, his vacation is desperately needed to. Pray that he comes back as re-charged and re-focused as you have, and maybe this situation will smooth itself out.

If it doesn’t, than you must bear this burden and offer this suffering up to God. He surely see’s your suffering and appreciates your pain and He will use it as He see’s fit. Remember often Jesus’s death on the cross, and it will surely give you the strength to carry on. Ask God to see you through this, to take away your anxiety, and to take this situation and use it to make you a better person. Your co-worker will take notice. He may never acknowledge it, but he will notice your strength, resolve and good will through the pain…

Nothing lasts forever, and this too shall pass…

 

[irish1]

Thank you for your prayerful response. You’ve given me a lot to pray and think about. Sometimes, when you’re in the midst of something, it helps to have someone, who can be objective, give you some direction.

May He continue to bless you.

Peace in Christ!!