Confronting the Sin in You and Your Workplace

In the latter years of my adolescence I was introduced with the concept of the “mirror dilemma” which is when you begin to see in others things about yourself that you do not like but you do not necessarily realize right away that the illusion is on you equally or more so than it is on the object of your dislike. Since then I have learned to be more empathetic with situations when I encounter the mirror dilemma because in Truth it is a sign that God could be revealing himself to you in a way where some of the sin in your life can be healed.

Since the workplace is where you spend a majority of your time, the mirror dilemma inevitably rears its ugly head on a frequent basis. How often do you find yourself despising the attitude or behavior of someone with which you work? Do you consider that your disgust might very well be something about yourself you do not like or that you are struggling to overcome?

When this occurs, the best thing to do is give it up to God and pray. Not just once, but repeatedly until you heal the sin. This could take days, weeks, months, or in some cases even years. Your prayer should not be limited to asking God to heal your sin, but rather seeking forgiveness of yourself from God, and seeking wisdom from God on what He expects from you. The mirror dilemma could be occurring in your professional life with subordinates and superiors so it is important to discern how to best approach the situation. This is a time to work with God and learn when he expects you to confront the situation and when he expects you to listen and observe or when to console with others whose input you trust such as brothers and sisters in Christ.

The mirror dilemma is simply recognition in others the sin in your own life. It is important to remember that exploiting it or gossiping about it with others can interfere with God’s will. When the mirror dilemma becomes apparent, God is calling you to seek forgiveness in yourself and in those around you. The last thing you should be doing is holding it against your peers. As Jesus said in John 8:7 when the scribes and Pharisees brought Him a woman taken in adultery:

"…he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her." John 8:7 (KJV)

Sin is the mountain amongst us all. Recognizing it in others is only a beginning stage. The mountain can only be moved by entrusting Christ. When you do this, forgiveness and wisdom can enter and the sin can be healed. Be patient. Allow God to heal the sin in your life and you will find the sin you despise in those around you dissolve.

Honoring Our Heroes on Veterans Day

The sun rises behind the Marine Corps Memorial, also known as the Iwo Jima Memorial, on Veterans Day 2003 in Washington.

President Bush places a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns in Arlington National Cemetery. Bush later spoke of the sacrifices of U.S. troops who died fighting for freedom in the Middle East and Afghanistan, telling families that their loved ones "served in a good and just cause."

U.S. Army troops hold a moment of silence in observing Veterans Day in Baghdad, Iraq.

Students at Southwest Elementary School in Jefferson City, Missouri, place their hands over their hearts as "The Star-Spangled Banner" is played during an assembly honoring veterans.

Pearl Harbor survivor Houston James of Dallas embraced Marine Staff Sgt. Mark Graunke Jr during a Veterans Day commemoration in Dallas yesterday. Graunke lost a hand, a leg and an eye when he defused a bomb in Iraq last year. This week's images of U.S. Troops in combat in Fallujah deepened the day's significance for many who attended tributes held in San Diego and across the nation