Persecutions

RELATIONSHIPS IN LIFE AND WORK ARE LADEN WITH hurtful experiences like those that are caused by various forms of persecution. At the workplace, persecution happens when one suffers abuse both physical and moral, discrimination of any kind, undue stress and pressure, and several experiences, which destroy the being of the worker. The normal response to acts of persecutions is fight or flight-a forceful resistance or exit from the situation. Very few would accept oppression with submission; fewer still are those whowould heed the counsel of Jesus to "love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you".

The Christian response to oppression, persecution and similar life-threatening aggression to workers and any human person, for that matter, is a very difficult choice to make. This would demand a different view on life and everything in this world, like one'swork among many things. The worker needs to view reality from the perspective of Christ. This means first of all, that he believes in Christ and makes Him a very significant person in his life. Having the sense of Christ, the worker would approach his job and all its difficulties as an opportunity to show his love and service for His Lord. He would then do his best in the performance of hiswork. He will give all his energies in doing the tasks at hand as if he is offering his whole life to his Master. Work then will not be a burden to be grudgingly borne in life, but it would be a pleasant sacrifice to make for one's God.

The Christian worker will see his bosses not as taskmasters, but as fellow human beings, or, even as brothers in Christ. He would relate with them not in fear and trembling but with love and peace. He will also treat his fellow workers with fraternal concern and when relationships at work becomes threatening, he would have the faith to pray for everyone and trust that the Lord will take charge of the situation.