Torch, Summer 2003

perspectives and preferences. In times of significant change, pressure can lead to animated and angry disagreements. Paul warned Timothy that he (Timothy) would face situations that would produce quarrels and disputes. His advice to Timothy offers excellent guidance for Christians as they encounter disagreements as a result of the changes they face: Avoid speculation . We need to be open and honest with others and to encourage the same from them. Engaging in guessing at what others mean, or leaving others to guess at our meaning, wastes time and breeds dissension and distrust. Affirm our intent to serve . It should be our goal to reach the best decision possible, not to defend our point of view “at any cost” and to protect our position “no matter what.” Focusing on serving our companies, constituencies, congregations, and our colleagues will help minimize the tendency to be self-centered and self-serving. Act in kind gentleness . There is more to life than “being right.” We can be right in boastfully arrogant ways that damage and diminish others. In another letter, Paul urged his readers to be “speaking the truth in love” (Ephesians 4:15). In II Timothy 2, Paul told Timothy to correct others with patient gentleness, seeking to teach others the truth rather than just teaching them a lesson. Coping with Change — and the Disillusion it Brings II Timothy 3:1-5,14-17 (NAS) 1 But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come. 2 For 10 TORCH / Summer 2003 Paul well understood the temptation to distrust. In his short letter to Timothy, Paul noted his abandonment in Asia by others. He was fully aware of the impacts of others lying about him and his beliefs (I Timothy 1:6-7). Paul urged Timothy to establish trust- building habits of character. Trust is something others grant to you — it is an earned privilege. Trust means that someone is willing to rely on you, to believe your promises, to entrust their welfare to your provision. We earn the privilege of being relied upon through loyalty, through fairness and integrity, and through hard work and persistence. In a world where we too often find “what’s in it for me” attitudes, “truth is relative” morality, and “how can I get away with less” intentions, trust- generating character habits of loyalty, integrity, and hard work shine as bright lights. Coping with Change — and the Disagreement it Brings II Timothy 2:23-25 (NAS) 23 But refuse foolish and ignorant speculations, knowing that they produce quarrels. 24 And the Lord’s bond-servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged, 25 with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth … In addition to its potential for leveling destruction and causing distrust, change always carries a great deal of uncertainty about both ends and means at work. That uncertainty can give rise to significant differences in Coping with Change — and the D istrust it B rings II Timothy 2:3-6 (NAS) 3 Suffer hardship with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. 4 No soldier in active service entangles himself in the affairs of everyday life, so that he may please the one who enlisted him as a soldier. 5 And also if anyone competes as an athlete, he does not win the prize unless he competes according to the rules. 6 The hard- working farmer ought to be the first to receive his share of the crops. The Enron bankruptcy is one of the largest in U.S. history. There existed a culture of lying and deception in Enron. Because of that breakdown in integrity, many thousands of managers and employees have been left with worthless retirement accounts and unfulfilled promises. Change generates uncertainty and, almost always, some level of distrust. People begin to doubt the methods, meaning, and motives of others. Personal fear fans the flames of professional distrust. COPING WITH CHANGE