And we know that all things work together for the good to them that love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28
Ernest left his supervisor’s office. He was angry. His supervisor had informed him that he had not met his goals on his Performance Improvement Plan. Ernest was more than angry.
A year ago, his supervisor informed him that management had decided to move him into a new position. Ernest was shocked. He had been excelling in his current position. He had been getting outstanding performance reviews, and qualifying for the highest raise levels. He had expressed to his supervisor that he had no skills for the position where they were moving him. It was like talking to a rock. He was told that his had no choice in the matter.
Well, over the next six months, Ernest had worked hard to develop his skills in his new position, and although he saw improvement, he still wasn’t up to satisfactory performance levels. Management then put him on a P.I.P. He tried to explain to them that he was put in a position that he was really unsuited for. They told him that if he was really focusing, he should be able to do the job at a satisfactory level. That was garbage. He was focusing. Now that he failed to meet his goals on his P.I.P., management told him they would review his case, and get back to him.
This really irritated Ernest. “If you’re going to fire me,” He told them, “do it in the beginning of the day, or the end. I don’t want to be called into the office, and have to leave in the middle of the day, in front of everyone.”
Ernest really felt that he was being treated unfairly. Romans 8:28 came to mind. “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”
His pastor at the 42nd Avenue Baptist Church had quoted this scripture to him when Ernest had told him about his job woes. He explained that it simply meant that God orders every thing in the life of a believer, and even allows the suffering, and tribulation parts. He uses this to our benefit, whether it’s a temporary benefit, that we can see in our lifetime, or an eternal benefit. He also gave him Proverbs 3:5. “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not on thine own understanding.” Trust in God, even when you can’t understand why whatever’s happening, is happening.
Ernest didn’t understand why all of this was happening to him, when all he ever tried to do was be a good employee. Management always talked about setting their employees up for success, but it seemed like through all of this, they were trying to set him up for failure. Well, Ernest’s faith and trust was in God, so he was going to continue to trust in God, be prayerful about the situation, and continue to ask God to guide his steps. He knew ultimately, that everything would be alright.