To combat employee discontent in the face of recent layoffs, the hospital I work for launched a new campaign: It Starts With Me.

It Starts With Me banners are hung at every corporate gathering. This new mantra is emblazoned on all in house literature. And most of upper management regularly sport the It Starts With Me button all employees were given. The apparent message is: Your job is what you make of it. If you want a happier, less stressful environment – become part of the solution – not the problem.

It’s a worthy enough message.  But since I already try to put a positive spin on things, I more or less dismissed it. Until today.

Today, during my private prayer time; I complained to Jesus about some difficult people in my life. These people have hurt me. They’ve wronged me. They’ve made it their business to malign me.  And they seem to enjoy doing it. Why Lord? Vindicate me Jesus! Restore the relationship, but give me the upper hand, Jesus. Don’t you see what they’re doing to me? And right at that moment, it was if my Heavenly Father, shook his head, knelt down beside me, put his loving hand on my shoulder, and whispered to my soul: “It Starts With You, Debbie.”  

And of course He’s right. Everything in the Holy Bible affirms this: “Love your enemies, do good to those who despitefully use you… turn the other cheek… give them your cloak also…” (Matthew 5: 39-44)

But the doing – the obeying of those red words of Jesus – can be so painful. “...Nevertheless, not my will… but Thine be done Jesus.” ( Luke 22:42)

FOR FURTHER STUDY: Matthew 18: 21-35 ; James 2:13