Irrational bosses can be the bane of our lives: Their demands, unrealistic and their attitudes, abhorrent. Those of us who have to endure them all too often go home from work seething or depressed and, to our shame, end up indulging in a spot of revenge-fantasy. So it’s no surprise that the latest Hollywood offering, Horrible Bosses has found a certain resonance with many. Extreme it may be but there’s something deeply appealing about its basic plot: wreaking revenge on those who make 9-6 an utter nightmare!
Now, before I go on, it would be wise to emphasise that my current bosses are absolutely wonderful! But many of us don’t have that privilege. So how should Christians respond when we find ourselves working for horrible bosses?
According to 1 Peter 2:13-25, by respecting them!
Peter wasn’t being a first century sadist. Rather he was someone who saw beyond the daily grind of the working week to the most important calling of any believer – the calling to be like Christ.
He reasons that suffering for doing wrong is getting what we deserve. Suffering at work when we don’t deserve it – and enduring that suffering in ways that are mindful of Jesus, with no hint of retaliation – is something that both displays and develops godliness.
That is not to say that we should be doormats. We have more freedom than many 1st century servants and so if something in our workplace is seriously awry then it is right we use that freedom help solve those problems. But always in a framework of respect … never out of a desire to see our boss “get what they deserve”.
Respecting an unreasonable boss is not an easy path. There will certainly be days when we need the prayerful support and encouragement of wise friends … But we are followers of a saviour who took the most difficult path. Becoming like him was never going to be easy!
