Oh yeah.  It's 20/20.

In the middle of a storm it can be hard to see the road ahead.   Even when you are trying really hard and leaning up closer to the steering wheel with the wipers swishing as fast as possible.  Then when the storm clears,  it's so easy to see the clear path in the rear-view mirror.  Where you've been and how you got "here" suddenly becomes clear.

Have you ever been there?  Gripping the wheel with sweaty, white knuckles, begging God to help you arrive safely?  And the harder you pray the harder the rain falls?

It's not a good feeling.

I've been there recently and I haven't written about it here on the blog. I'm hesitant to write about it now because it has to do with work.  I believe that if you complain about your boss on say...Facebook or a blog....then you shouldn't be surprised when you get fired.  It's just common sense.

However, I think if I write this from the perspective of the "rear-view mirror," then I can approach this with courtesy and professionalism while sharing what God really did in my heart.  And as you will see further down, it's not really about work.  It's about God using this situation to do a work in me.

In short, I had a supervisor who exhibited less-than-stellar performance.  Without going into very many details,  I went to management regarding this situation and was shocked...no, appalled...that they did not agree with me. 

My job is not rocket science but it does take some proper training and hands-on experience to understand.   Without training, the average person would not understand the intricate procedures or terminology.  I thought maybe management didn't understand what I was saying.

Turned out they understood.  They just didn't agree.  And they thought that I should have not said anything.  And they made it perfectly clear that I was in the wrong.  And they told my supervisor.

I'm sure you can see how this created a strained work environment for me. 

The next few months, were hard.  Really hard.

My supervisor did not make things easy for me but management would not let her fire me.

This is the point that I threw my hands up and looked to God and said, "Really?  I try to do the right thing and THIS is how you repay me?"

I'm still waiting on that response from God, by the way.  There was no response.  Just me.  In the middle of a storm with seemingly nowhere to go.  The wipers couldn't swish fast enough for this storm. 

For what it's worth, I interviewed at other companies and was even in negotiations with one in particular.  When it came right down to it, I didn't feel good about leaving my situation.  I can't explain it to you.  To the outsider, I should have left.  In my heart, it wasn't the right thing to do.

I kept that scripture in Psalms 121 on repeat in my head:


I gave it to Him.  He handled it.  With a quickness.

My work environment is superb.  It's peaceful.  It's rewarding again.  I do what I love again.

My perspective from the rear-view mirror is pretty clear.  I learned that this really isn't about work.  It's about the condition of my heart.  It's about God taking away any entitlement I think I deserve and replacing it with complete surrender.

I think about Jesus on the cross.  I think about how He was tortured, crucified and murdered by the very people He came to save.  He didn't do anything wrong and yet, He received the ultimate punishment.

Why should I be different?   And yet, any suffering that I endured at work is nothing compared to his suffering.  

If you don't believe me, maybe you will believe the Apostle Paul.  Please read Philippians 3. 

Paul, brother, you took the words right out of my mouth.

I like the view from here.  It's not raining anymore and I can see the road...for now. 

What about you?  Are you struggling to find clarity behind the wheel?  Or are you on the other side of the storm?