John Walkup
Texas Tech University
Electrical and Computer Engineering, Emeritus
Faculty Commons Staff
Conflicts with colleagues can test our faith in major ways. How do we respond to verbal slights and interpersonal tensions in ways that build bridges to colleagues and bring glory to Jesus Christ?
Chased Out Of His Office
When I was a young professor, one senior faculty member loved to give me and the other young faculty a hard time. In exasperation I once shoved him up against a wall, and he accused me (justifiably so) of being a hypocrite. A young colleague once chased that professor out of his office, verbally threatening to “kill him.”
When the senior professor returned from a sabbatical a few years later, he experienced both personal and professional challenges. He underwent cancer surgery and lost most of his research funding, both within a short period of time.
What I found over time was that I was able to build a bridge of friendship to this colleague. During the next 20 years we actually became good friends. Was the road totally smooth? Not really.
Not Responding In Kind
While I had additional opportunities to share my faith with him, I do not know whether he ultimately trusted Christ. I am convinced, however, that not responding in kind to most of his provocations was something the Lord wanted me to do, and later blessed.
A second conflict experience relates to a Christian colleague with whom I interacted extensively while he was at Texas Tech. He made a hurtful statement to me regarding another colleague’s comment about me. After talking this over with my wife, and praying about what response I should make, I decided that as brothers in Christ, I simply had to forgive him.
My wife has always helped me see things from the other person’s perspective. Over time this brother and I became very close friends. He was a great encouragement to me when we decided to enter full time ministry, and I was able to encourage him in his many ministry activities.
When Provocations Occur
What have I learned from these and other conflict experiences during my career? One thing is to initially under-react, whenever possible, when provocations occur. I need to see the conflict from the other’s perspective.
Responding with love and forgiveness is crucial. Not responding in kind to a slight may be used by God to open doors for future ministry. Do I really believe that the Lord is my defender or don’t I?
When I look at how Jesus permitted others to treat Him, I realize that any slight I’ve experienced pales in comparison. If I want to see Christ glorified in my life, I need to practice James 1:19-20. “This you know, my beloved brethren. But let everyone be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger; for the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God.” (NASB)
© 2008 John Walkup Used by permission of Faculty Commons