I was chosen to endure harsh treatment from my boss to glorify God in the process

Matthew 5:16, “16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”

I was working as a photographer with Company A in Singapore for a couple of years before my company was bought over by Company B. With this acquisition, my team came under the management of the new company photography section. This marks a new beginning for me and it seems that opportunities have increased, but it was not long I realized I am not getting along well with my new boss. The boss does not esteem his subordinates well with respect and consideration. It was tough working for him.

Working with a group of crew like stylists, designers, editors and models were part of our job environment. There is always a team of us with different roles and support. A photographer, after knowing the concept of the shoot will be the one to lead the team on how the shoot would take place. I remembered there have been several occasions when my boss would step into the studio out of the blue, complained about the setting I had arranged and how stupid the idea was. He would then take the initiative to rearrange the set and in-front of the whole team gave me a lecture on how the set should have been better arranged. I felt humiliated each time he does that. It causes the whole crew to doubt if I could really direct a good shoot. Eventually, the rest of the other crew esteem us ,photographers, as just the “clicker boy”. You become demoralized and creativity is stunned in such an environment. I felt like quitting.

Just during this demoralizing period, my ex-company contacted me and offered a super attractive package. It was a 50% increase in salary and they agreed to give me the position I wanted, practically every request that I made they were able to match. It was so tempting but before I took it up, I brought it to the Lord in prayer. I very much would like to take it up but there was no peace in my heart to do so. It seems like God wanted me to stay and He would not want me to leave with my head down. No matter how I disliked going to work, I let go of that opportunity and constantly reminded myself that the bible says,

1 Peter 5:6-7, “Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.

I continued to do my best in my work.

In fact I was not the only person to be subjected to such treatment from my boss. All 8 of us were treated with disdain throughout our career with the new management. As a result coffee breaks and lunches were often times of complaining and criticizing our boss. The temptation was very strong but I refused to be sucked into the non edifying talks; I knew it would not be good for me spiritually. The bible says,

Ephesians 4:29, “Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.”

It was not long before my entire team of 8 photographers gradually reduced to 2 of us. All have resigned because of my boss. Throughout these 4 years, God has been encouraging me through His Word in His presence and though with much difficulty, I had hang on with His given grace.

Gradually, things started to turn around. My works started to be commended by the higher management level although was criticized by my direct boss. Suddenly one day, my boss came up to me and said, “I have been observing you for a while. You are a miracle. The way you carry yourself is really different from the other people that I have come across. I can see your God’s power working in your life.”

Matthew 5:16, “16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”

I was shocked by his comments and I was so thrilled that I ran out of my studio and gave my heartfelt gratitude to God telling Him, “All glory goes to you Father! Thank you for preserving me and assuring me all these while just for this purpose” This was the MOMENT when I felt that all the persecutions that I have suffered for the past 4 years were all worthwhile. It was God’s will for me to be a worthy ambassador of God that displays exemplary characteristics in times of trouble. Not only did God use me in this situation to show His glory and goodness, I was also edified and encouraged by God in serving Him. Doing God’s work is not easy but you emerge a winner if you preserve to the end. Praise God! It was also at this time, I felt impressed in my heart that now is the time to move out. God wanted me to go into full time bible study.

Subsequently after I sent in my resignation letter to pursue my bible studies. My boss was very surprised. He had repeatedly made offers to increase my salary and even to the extent of offering me a 3 months paid leave to let me ‘explore my own interest’. However I declined because I knew that God wanted me to focus on my studies first.

Amazingly on the day I declined the company’s counter offer, I got home and I received an encouragement from God. He encouraged me on this decision of putting Him first by blessing me with a cheque sent by an anonymous sender from our ex-church. The sum turned out to be the amount I needed to pay for my first month school fees.

Anonymous