Now It's Time to Set the "Reset" Button...continued
Last time St. Paul showed us how we should not - indeed must not - behave if we desire to comport ourselves as Catholic men at work. So now the flip side: How we should behave? (Our reference will again be Galatians 5.)
One thing, among others, you have to love about St. Paul is his bluntness. He doesn't pull his punches. His list of "do not" was direct and comprehensive, from the venial (e.g., contentions, envies) to the mortal (fornication, murder). Note, by the way, the length of the "do not" list: about twice as long as the "do" list. The takeaway here: Focus on doing what's right, rather than worrying about all the things you might do wrong. It's not that hard or complicated to be good, as long as we have the desire, along with God's grace. Putting it another way, if we have the desire to be good (which we express by acts inspired by our will), we won't need to check the "don't" list all the time. We'll be too busy with "do."
(Of course, this doesn't mean we'll be perfect all the time. Slips and falls are part of our fallen human nature. That's why we go to confession.)
I think you'll find here a substantive and effective way to focus on the positive rather than the negative. And it's got nothing to do with all that gobbledygook about "positive thinking." That's the sort of nonsense that's foisted on us in so-called "success" books, and certain styles of employee training and retreats in order to get us to be more "productive." While it may boost the bottom line by "inspiring" some to work harder, smarter, and (of course) longer, you'd be better off simply basing your daily activity on the virtues St. Paul outlines:
If, for whatever reason, you've developed the habit of separating your work life from you spiritual life, it's time to make a change. The daily struggle for success in our work lives doesn't require us to behave in any way, shape, or form contrary to our Catholic identity. This blog exists to help you do that. But the initiative starts with you. You're the one who needs to hit that "re-set" button.
Maybe you start by developing patience with those who get on your nerves at work. If you're subject to envy, maybe you pray for Our Lord's grace to help you overcome such feelings each and every time they strike. A simple "Jesus, mercy!" or just "Help!" would do the trick. He knows what's going on in your life at every moment, so He doesn't need a lot of explanation or instruction on what sort of help you need.
We previously said that hitting the re-set button would serve as a "whack on the head." Just remember that's not what will make the difference in your life. The little things - like asking for His help, over and over again - will make all the difference.
So re-set yourself today, if you need to. Then again, it likely wouldn't hurt most of us if we re-set ourselves whether we think we need to or not. We can all use refreshing and the occasional re-set. (And, of course, don't forget to make it a habit to go to confession regularly.)
One thing, among others, you have to love about St. Paul is his bluntness. He doesn't pull his punches. His list of "do not" was direct and comprehensive, from the venial (e.g., contentions, envies) to the mortal (fornication, murder). Note, by the way, the length of the "do not" list: about twice as long as the "do" list. The takeaway here: Focus on doing what's right, rather than worrying about all the things you might do wrong. It's not that hard or complicated to be good, as long as we have the desire, along with God's grace. Putting it another way, if we have the desire to be good (which we express by acts inspired by our will), we won't need to check the "don't" list all the time. We'll be too busy with "do."
(Of course, this doesn't mean we'll be perfect all the time. Slips and falls are part of our fallen human nature. That's why we go to confession.)
I think you'll find here a substantive and effective way to focus on the positive rather than the negative. And it's got nothing to do with all that gobbledygook about "positive thinking." That's the sort of nonsense that's foisted on us in so-called "success" books, and certain styles of employee training and retreats in order to get us to be more "productive." While it may boost the bottom line by "inspiring" some to work harder, smarter, and (of course) longer, you'd be better off simply basing your daily activity on the virtues St. Paul outlines:
But the fruit of the Spirit is, charity, joy, peace, patience, benignity, goodness, longanimity, mildness, faith, modesty, continency, chastity. Against such there is no law. And they that are Christ's, have crucified their flesh, with the vices and concupiscences. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.The only way for us to be successful in our work as Catholics will be to turn from those "lusts of the flesh" to the "fruit of the Spirit. Work your way down St. Paul's list and you'll find the sort of character traits that will help you grow personally, professionally, and spiritually. The three go together when it comes to Catholic men at work.
Let us not be made desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.
If, for whatever reason, you've developed the habit of separating your work life from you spiritual life, it's time to make a change. The daily struggle for success in our work lives doesn't require us to behave in any way, shape, or form contrary to our Catholic identity. This blog exists to help you do that. But the initiative starts with you. You're the one who needs to hit that "re-set" button.
Maybe you start by developing patience with those who get on your nerves at work. If you're subject to envy, maybe you pray for Our Lord's grace to help you overcome such feelings each and every time they strike. A simple "Jesus, mercy!" or just "Help!" would do the trick. He knows what's going on in your life at every moment, so He doesn't need a lot of explanation or instruction on what sort of help you need.
We previously said that hitting the re-set button would serve as a "whack on the head." Just remember that's not what will make the difference in your life. The little things - like asking for His help, over and over again - will make all the difference.
So re-set yourself today, if you need to. Then again, it likely wouldn't hurt most of us if we re-set ourselves whether we think we need to or not. We can all use refreshing and the occasional re-set. (And, of course, don't forget to make it a habit to go to confession regularly.)
Comments