Several years ago, a family member experienced a prolonged health crisis that had profound effects upon my entire immediate family. At the time, I was working an hour from where I lived so I dealt with an exhausting daily two-hour commute, a workday with the public, and the shared care of a sick loved one. During that time, I had increased anxiety and depression related to the prolonged stress, and I was ultimately diagnosed with hypertension in my early 30s. Until I reached my breaking point and decided to quit the position to work closer to home, my “work family” kept me going.
I have frequently said they were my soft place to land amidst all the bumps and bruises during that period of life. We went to the movies, out to eat, or for a short shopping trip after work on Fridays or Saturdays. It was my one evening of reprieve from all the stress at home. I don’t think I’ll ever be able to explain to my “work family” just what they meant to me during that time, and I know that God placed each of them in my life at just the right moment. They tolerated me when I was cranky and upset. They forgave me when I was angry. They strengthened me when I was weak. They prayed for me when I needed it most.
In the Bible, Jesus addresses the idea of what is family in the following verses:
Then His brothers and His mother came, and standing outside they sent to Him, calling Him. And a multitude was sitting around Him; and they said to Him, “Look, Your mother and Your brothers are outside seeking You.” But He answered them, saying, “Who is My mother, or My brothers?” And He looked around in a circle at those who sat about Him, and said, “Here are My mother and My brothers! For whoever does the will of God is My brother and My sister and mother.” (Mark 3:31-35, NKJV)
Yes, Jesus respected his family, but He was also letting us know that our idea of family is much bigger than we often realize. I experienced this with my “work family.” They did the will of God by taking care of me at a time when I was difficult to care for but at a time when I needed it most. They loved me in the way that Jesus urged his disciples to love.
A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another. (John 13:34-35, NKJV)
I know it isn’t always possible to find Christian friends at work, but we can find a support system to rely on who knows about our work situation. I don’t work in an office with anyone anymore, but that same “work family” is still among the group of people I contact when I’m stressed. Likewise, I have been one of the people they come to when they need to chat about things at work or home. At church, I talk to my Sunday School class about the difficulties of being a freelance writer, and they provide prayers and feedback on what I tell them.
Whatever your work situation is, find a group of people who can support you, and remember that part of the role is you supporting them. Even when I was at my lowest, it helped me to know other people experienced difficulties and needed my prayers and emotional support because it got my mind off of my own issues for a while. Please don’t suffer through difficulties alone. Seek out some kind of “work family” who can pray with and for you and walk beside you through the hard times so you can do the same for them in return.
Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails. (1 Corinthians 13:4-8a, NKJV)
And above all things have fervent love for one another, for “love will cover a multitude of sins.” Be hospitable to one another without grumbling. (1 Peter 4:8-9, NKJV)
All Things Subject to Change 