The Christian Working Woman

Mary Lowman
The Christian Working Woman

The Christian Working Woman began in 1984 as an outgrowth of a ministry for workplace women that began at The Moody Church in Chicago, Illinois. Because of her own experiences of being a Christian in the marketplace, Mary (Whelchel) Lowman had a burden to encourage women and to teach them sound biblical principles in order to equip them to live godly lives in their workplaces. Little did she know that the radio program which had its humble beginnings on one station in Chicago would now be heard on over 500 stations and crossing international boundaries! Since its beginning The Christian Working Woman has become a non-profit organization currently producing two radio program formats, distributing books and materials, providing web resources, and organizing retreats and conferences in the United States and abroad.

  1. 5 HR AGO

    How to Love People You Don’t Like – 4

    I'm examining loving people we don't really like so much. And we've seen God's kind of love—agape love—is not based on feelings, but it is an action. Our job is to learn to act in loving ways toward people, even the ones we don't like. A prerequisite to developing love actions toward unlikable people is to pray for them. Sincerely, regularly pray for their welfare. Ask God to show you what love actions to take toward them. And pray for them. . . a lot! Jesus taught us to pray for our enemies, and those who despitefully use us. Then, as you think about a certain person you don't like, decide which love actions would be appropriate for that person. Maybe it’s a lot of patience? Or compassion or endurance? Then set your will to act with those love actions toward that person. A good friend shared how God put her in a job with people she just didn't like very much. She applied for a promotion, looking forward to moving away from those people. The selection process narrowed down to her and one other person, but she didn't get the job. And at first, she was angry at not being selected, until she realized God had left her in that job to learn how to love those people she didn't like. She began what she called Project Love, and she looked for ways to develop relationships with those unlikable people. Her method was to invite them to have lunch with her, one per week. And she began to build bridges to these people and develop relationships with them. Of course, in doing that, she discovered they had burdens and problems, and they discovered she was a caring person. A few months later, she got that promotion she wanted, but she continues to keep in touch with those unlikable people she has now learned to love—and indeed to like, too. Several of them have turned to her for help in troubled times. What a good idea—Project Love. Maybe you could start to find ways to reach out to those unlikable people with the love of Jesus Christ that is within you. What miracles we could see in our relationships if we'd do this more and more.

    3 min
  2. 1 DAY AGO

    How to Love People You Don’t Like – 3

    Do you have any people in your life right now you just don't like very much? Chances are you do. Yes, even Christians have to admit we run into people who just rub us the wrong way. The question I'm addressing is: how can I love the people I don't like? God hasn't told us to like everyone. There are people we simply cannot admire or enjoy. But Scripture gives us many directives to love others. We've seen God's kind of love—agape love—is not dependent on our feelings. Love is an action, not a feeling. Well, if love is an action, what actions then are love actions? First Corinthians 13 is a good place to look for a list of love actions. They include: Patience: When you act with patience toward someone, you are loving him or her. Keep in mind love is not a feeling, so we don't have to feel patient. Can you remember acting with patience even when you did not feel patient? That is agape love. Kindness: When you feel like saying something sarcastic or cutting or angry, but instead you say something kind, that is a love action. Not Jealous: When you refuse to behave jealously or possessively, you are showing love. Has Good Manners: Just plain courtesy is a love action. How often we forget good manners, like not interrupting others when they're talking, letting others go ahead of us, etc. Those are love actions. Unselfish: Agape love acts in an unselfish manner, without pursuing selfish advantage or trampling over others in trying to get where you want to get. Remember, don't wait to feel unselfish; show your love by acting unselfishly. Endurance: When other people have given up and left, agape love will still be there, hanging in with someone. It will endure all things. It will keep listening to someone, even when you think you cannot listen to another word. These are just a few of the many love actions available to us. And we can demonstrate these attitudes and actions toward people, whether we like them or not, by God's grace. Ask God to help you today to show love through your actions, even to that person you don't really like very much. Don't feel guilty about not liking them, just act toward them in loving ways, and watch what happens.

    3 min
  3. 2 DAYS AGO

    How to Love People You Don’t Like – 2

    Aren't you glad God's love for us is not based on how he feels about us? He may be, and I'm sure often is, very displeased with us as individuals, yet his love and goodness toward us are constant. That encourages me, because it means God does not require me to have good feelings toward everyone, and like you, I've discovered there are people I just don't like. You don't have to like someone to love them. Webster defines like as to "feel an attraction, tenderness or affection for" someone. We say "I like you because..." and then list the things we like about the person. But agape love says, "I love you in spite of..."—in spite of the things about you I may not like. We don't have to feel guilty about not liking everyone. It's okay! But we are commanded to love others. Write it on a piece of paper and tape it to your mirror, your desk, over your sink, on your screen saver—wherever you will see it often: Love is not a feeling, love is an action! I'm sure there were people Jesus did not like. Ever read what he said to the religious hypocrites of his day? Pretty direct. I don't think he liked them very much at all. But I know he loved them, because he died for them. Love is not a feeling; love is an action. This is our responsibility—to love others, whether we like them or not. Paul said in his letter to the Romans the Holy Spirit, who was given to us, has poured out the love of God within our hearts (Romans 5:5). Think about God's love for you. John wrote: To us, the greatest demonstration of God's love for us has been his sending his only Son into the world to give us life through him. We see real love, not in the fact that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son to make personal atonement for our sins. And remember, God loves those people you don't like just as much as he loves you. Let God's love pour all over you and fill you. Remember how he loves you, even when you're not very lovable. That's the beginning of learning how to love other people, even the ones you don't like so much.

    3 min
  4. 3 DAYS AGO

    How to Love People You Don’t Like

    Are there people in your life you really don't like? We run into these people on our jobs quite often. I'm examining how to love the people you don't like. Yes, even Christians are allowed to have people in their lives they do not like. I know of no scriptural directive that commands us to like everyone. But I know many verses that tell us to love other people. Here are just two of many: And he has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister (1 John 4:21). Jesus said: If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them (Luke 6:32). It's clear as Christians we are to love people—all people, yes, even the people we work with. But what about those unlikable people? Since we cannot like them, we usually conclude we cannot love them either. Don't we have to like people before we can love them? How can we love someone we don't like? Part of the problem is we misunderstand the word love. The kind of love you need to love people you don't like is God's kind of love. Now, this love is not necessarily a feeling. Though you may experience nice feelings, agape love does not depend on how you feel. Agape love, God’s kind of love, is an action. The Bible tells us we know God loves us because he sent his Son into the world to redeem us. We know Jesus loves us because he gave his life. And God says he will know we love him if we keep his commandments. God's kind of love is an action, not a feeling. Now, that really is good news, because it tells me I can love people toward whom I do not necessarily have good feelings. I can love people toward whom I have no feelings at all. Think: Who are the people you will be dealing with today or tomorrow whom you really don't like? Will you ask God to help you understand how to love them, even though you don't like them?

    3 min
  5. 5 DAYS AGO

    The Action of Compassion

    Presented by Lisa Bishop Several years ago, someone said something that left a deep impression on me. “Treat everyone as if their heart is breaking because it probably is.” Now, that may sound strange but let me explain. We know to be human is to experience suffering. No one on the planet will go through life without some form of hardship, heartache, loss, pain, or disappointment. We all will experience seasons of suffering; there’s no escaping it. You most likely have already experienced your own version of suffering, and everyone you come into contact with, if they haven’t already, will too. And that is the sentiment behind the thought, “Treat everyone as if their heart were breaking, because it probably is” … or has or will at some future time. So be mindful that there’s often more going on with people than meets the eye. You and I are acutely aware of our heartaches, yet we can often miss the clues when people around us are experiencing their own form of hardship. I’ve learned that suffering can wear many faces. It can express itself through anger, addiction, inflicting pain on others, outbursts, depression, anxiety, and pride, which can be an unconscious defense against vulnerability and the hidden pain of shame. I don’t like to admit it, but I can find myself getting impatient when people act out or do not behave the way that I think they “should.” It can be easier to turn to judgment rather than curiosity. What I mean is that we can be prone to making judgments about a person’s behavior rather than taking the time to understand the underlying issues that may be driving it. In his book, A Grief Observed, a collection of reflections on his experience of heartache following the death of his wife, theologian C.S. Lewis writes, “I sat with anger long enough until she told me her real name was grief.” [1] Isn’t that such a deep and profound insight? When we witness a co-worker’s outburst or a friend’s off-putting behavior, are we quick to distance ourselves or to come alongside to see what grief, pain, or disappointment they may be hiding behind? While the customs of the world teach us to criticize and condemn when people act that way, you and I, as image bearers of Jesus, are called to a higher way. In his letter to the church in Colasse, the Apostle Paul gave a clear call to followers of Jesus. As God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, along with kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience (Colossians 3:12). The definition of compassion is, “The deep awareness of the suffering of another accompanied by the desire to relieve it.” To clothe yourself is to intentionally put on compassion and let it drive your heart and your actions. Compassion goes beyond empathy. Empathy is about putting yourself in someone else’s position and feeling what they might feel in a situation. Empathy is a necessary emotion and something we should regularly make a habit of. Empathy takes time to listen to others, deeply listen, without judgment or agenda. When you listen empathically to someone you are not trying to fix them or give them advice; you have a heart posture to truly seek to understand, be present, and listen in a way that the person feels heard and valued. Compassion takes empathy a step further. Compassion is about recognizing someone's emotions and wanting to help them. It’s “empathy in action.” More than words or sentiments, compassion not only listens, but it also responds in a way that desires to come alongside and lend a helping hand. We know compassion is a characteristic of God. As his image bearers, Jesus has given us the ability to feel compassion and be moved by it to act on behalf of others. We see the compassion of the Lord on display throughout the Old Testament as well as numerous stori...

    14 min
  6. 6 DAYS AGO

    Compassion Killer – 5

    Presented by Lisa Bishop Today let’s examine community. Are you a part of a Christian community? Specifically, do you regularly attend a local church? If not, you could be missing out on growing in compassion. The writer of Hebrews encourages community when he says, And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching (Hebrews 10:24-25). Community is vital to your spiritual journey. It provides the support, accountability, and encouragement to live out your faith wholistically. When we isolate ourselves, we miss the opportunity to learn from each other, share our burdens, and lift one another up. Compassion flourishes in connection. Compassion thrives in the context of relationships. When we engage with one another, we become aware of each other’s struggles and needs. Without community, we become disconnected from the realities of people’s lives. We may miss the chance to support a friend in crisis or comfort someone who’s grieving. Compassion requires intimacy, and intimacy can only flourish when we are present and engaged. In 1 Corinthians 12:26, Paul describes the church as a body, emphasizing that if one part suffers, every part suffers with it. When we isolate ourselves, we can easily become indifferent and insensitive to the pain of others. But when we are part of a community, we share in each other’s joys and sorrows. This shared experience fosters empathy and compassion, reminding us that we are all interconnected in the body of Christ. In community, we can confront our biases and fears that hinder our compassion. The early church exemplified what it meant to live in community. They devoted themselves to teaching, fellowship, breaking bread, and prayer. Their love for one another was evident, and it drew others to Christ (Acts 2:42-47). If you are not part of a local Christian community, can I encourage you to find a church near you that is committed to the truth of God’s word and growing in the fruit of the Holy Spirit? Lack of community can hinder compassion but when we intentionally engage with one another, we grow in love and empathy, allowing us to better reflect Christ's heart to the world.

  7. 14 NOV

    Compassion Killer – 4

    Presented by Lisa Bishop Let’s examine another compassion killer, jealousy. Jealousy most often arises from comparison—comparing our finances to others, our careers, our titles at work, the amount of credit or time in the spotlight we get compared to a coworker on our team. Our relationship status, our house, kids, car, spouse, our looks, the list goes on and on. When we compare our lives to others it can lead to a feeling of lack, which can ultimately lead to resentment that poisons our relationships. When we compare ourselves to others, our hearts can go cold and be driven to apathy, insensitivity, and animosity. For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice (James 3:16). Jealousy creates a barrier that prevents us from expressing genuine care for others and celebrating their good fortune. Jesus embodied compassion and taught us to do the same. In Luke 15, Jesus shares an example of compassion (and lack of it) through the parable of the prodigal son. In this story, we learn a man had two sons. We see the younger one demanding his inheritance and leaving his father’s household only to live recklessly, squander everything he had, and drive his life into the ground. When he runs out of money and finds himself destitute, he decides to return home. Instead of acting in anger and disowning him, his father responds with compassion and joy and welcomes him with open arms. When his father sees him approaching, he feels compassion and runs and embraces him and kisses him (Luke 15:20). His older brother on the other hand is filled with anger and jealousy rather than compassion for his brother's poor choices. He says, Look! All these years I’ve been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him! (Luke 15:29-30). In his eyes, his younger brother did not deserve the warm and joyous homecoming. The bottom line is jealousy kills compassion and can cause us to act in ways that are not becoming of a follower of Jesus. When we focus on our own blessings and practice gratitude, rather than comparing them to the good fortune of others we can free ourselves from the grip of jealousy, trust in God’s provision, and allow compassion to thrive.

  8. 13 NOV

    Compassion Killer – 3

    Presented by Lisa Bishop Let’s examine a total hindrance to showing the tenderness of Jesus, and that’s unforgiveness. Jesus addressed forgiveness directly in Matthew 18:21-22 when Peter asks how many times he should forgive someone who sins against him. Jesus responds, I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times. This radical call to forgive is rooted in the holy understanding that holding onto grudges only harms us and hinders our ability to love others. When I think of forgiveness, I am always struck by the story of Joseph and his brothers. I highly recommend reading the full story in Genesis but here is the gist. Out of animosity and anger, Joseph’s older brothers plotted to kill him. While their hatred did not end in murder, they sold Joseph into slavery in Egypt, which set off a slew of circumstances, not all of them favorable for Joseph. While he initially found favor with Pharaoh and became a trusted leader in his household, in a turn of events, Joseph came under false accusation and endured jail time. Things eventually ended up in Joseph’s favor because God’s favor was on him, but his brother's actions set off a firestorm of hardship for Joseph. Years later when Joseph was confronted with his brothers, instead of holding a grudge and exacting punishment, he chose to forgive them. Not many of us will experience someone trying to take our life, but we may experience someone trying to ruin our reputation, a coworker or boss who acts rudely or in ways that cause us to feel belittled, a roommate who violates a living agreement or maybe a friend who betrays a confidence. I am not saying any of those things are excusable behaviors, but as followers of Jesus, we are commanded to forgive. Unforgiveness will impact every area of your life. It quenches the work of the Holy Spirit and causes depression, anxiety, and anger. Unforgiveness leaks into other areas of our lives, and it hardens our hearts. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you (Ephesians 4:32). When we cling to unforgiveness, we shut ourselves off from the very compassion we are called to extend. Who in your life may God be calling you to forgive? Can I encourage you to surrender your bitterness to Jesus? Let his compassion for your hurt transform your heart so you can overflow with compassion for others.

About

The Christian Working Woman began in 1984 as an outgrowth of a ministry for workplace women that began at The Moody Church in Chicago, Illinois. Because of her own experiences of being a Christian in the marketplace, Mary (Whelchel) Lowman had a burden to encourage women and to teach them sound biblical principles in order to equip them to live godly lives in their workplaces. Little did she know that the radio program which had its humble beginnings on one station in Chicago would now be heard on over 500 stations and crossing international boundaries! Since its beginning The Christian Working Woman has become a non-profit organization currently producing two radio program formats, distributing books and materials, providing web resources, and organizing retreats and conferences in the United States and abroad.

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