For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have One who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet He did not sin.
Hebrews 4:15
On Tuesday I had my first major surgery performed on me. After living with a herniated disc and sciatica for 4+ years, I finally decided to take a more active step in healing. I arrived to the surgery center at 6am, put on the gown, lied down on the gurney, then they put an IV in my arm. The anesthesiologist said, “You might a slight sting,” and as soon as I said, “Oh yeah, I feel it,” I was gone. Next thing I know, I was in the recovery room two hours later with a patch on me and pain in my lower back.
I was thinking about this the past few days as I was resting and recovering this week, I put a lot of trust into my doctor’s hands. When I was unconscious for two hours, my surgeon could have done anything to me. He can make me paralyzed, he can take advantage of me, he could literally kill me! Obviously I trusted his skills, his care, and his leadership a lot to be able put to sleep. I was able to go to sleep under his leadership because I utterly trusted him.
If there is a leader you work for who is toxic, you cannot go to sleep on that person. You have to be mindful, keep your boundaries, and act Christlike. There will be situations under toxic leadership that will test you, stretch you, and push you to the edge. But they might even be opportunities for you to grow in your integrity, your inner sense of value, and even grow in your faith.
