Finding Strength in the Storm: Navigating Workplace Challenges with Faith

As a Christian, it pains me deeply when those who share my faith speak behind my back, especially in the workplace where trust and collaboration should be foundational.

Last Friday, I experienced a particularly challenging 1:1 meeting with my boss, which left me feeling vulnerable and disheartened. During our conversation, my boss described me, Allen, as a "very, very, very, hang on, one more, very low surface thinker," and declared that I was unfit to be a manager. It was a harsh assessment, and it stung even more when he revealed that three colleagues had been speaking negatively about me to him.

One of these colleagues, someone I consider a fellow Christian, had been sharing all sorts of criticisms, including that I ask questions during meetings and use AI for note-taking. They painted a picture of me as a frustrating and valueless presence in meetings.

In one instance, I had joined a meeting in its final minutes and heard only bits of a heated conversation. Later, I was blamed for not supporting a colleague during that meeting, and this was reported up the chain to my boss. They said that they saw I was in that meeting all along, but I was not. I came in at the tail end. Consequently, my boss asked each person to provide information on my supposed lack of leadership. It felt like an orchestrated attack on my character and capabilities.

As the meeting progressed, I expressed my feelings to my boss. I told him I didn't appreciate being belittled in meetings and having my leadership documented in a negative light. Whenever I asked for examples of his support, he couldn't provide any.

I shared with him that I had heard from a trusted friend that there was an agenda to replace me with someone else. The person feeding this information to others was the same one who was being friendly to my face while undermining me behind my back.

For two years, I have been dealing with this type of bullying and intimidation, working in a hostile and toxic environment. Last year, the situation affected my health so severely that I had to take a medical leave for almost two months to recover. I found myself trapped in a cycle of negativity and stress, impacting my mental health, memory, and sleep. My appeals to HR were dismissed as hearsay, leaving me isolated and unsupported.

In moments of despair, I turned to prayer, asking God to intervene and help me, even praying for my boss, hoping that perhaps I had missed something. Despite accusations of disloyalty and attacks on my integrity and leadership, I have never encountered such gaslighting and abusive behavior in my 30-year career. I ask God to talk to those who might be able to support and back me in what I was saying and telling, along with my document, that this is going on in the department and my boss is doing this type of behavior.

Yet, through this storm, I hold onto my faith. I believe that God will use this situation for His glory and that something good will come out of it, and God will get this to the right people within the company. Until then, I will follow God's instructions.

I trust that God will speak to others and inspire them to take a stand. My faith remains steadfast, no matter what, as I know that God is with me in this journey, guiding me towards peace and resolution.

If my story and experience can save one person, then it does bring Glory to God.