Relying on God can help us with interpersonal relationships that cause difficulties in the workplace. On one occasion, I was assigned to work with an individual who had a reputation for being belligerent, provocative, and difficult to be around. I took offense at some of his actions and his abrasive demeanor. The situation came to a head when I received a rather aggressive email from this person, and I realized I needed to take a spiritual stance with regard to this working relationship.
I knew I could perceive my coworker differently, in a way that’s described in Mary Baker Eddy’s primary text on Christian Science, Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures. There she says: “Jesus beheld in Science the perfect man, who appeared to him where sinning mortal man appears to mortals. In this perfect man the Saviour saw God’s own likeness, and this correct view of man healed the sick” (pp. 476–477). While this person wasn’t sick, I realized I needed to have this “correct view,” the spiritual view of all individuals as made by God, Spirit. I affirmed that everyone, including this individual, is an innocent child of God, and that because God is Love, we each can express only loving qualities.
To my surprise, later that day, I received a very pleasant and sincere email message from my coworker, thanking me for my work and complimenting my performance. We got along much better after that turning point.
