Her story was eerily familiar.
“I’m not looking down on anyone or anything, but I’m not sleeping around, I pay
my tithes, and I know God’s called me to see things through. And I’m dealing
with all these demonic attacks and spiritual warfare on my job.” “I understand
more than you know,” I replied. I met an incredible woman who was discouraged
and frustrated. I knew her pain. I’ve lived it. And some days, I still do. It’s
painful remaining faithful while frustrated. I could tell from speaking and
praying with this woman that she was tired. She was aiming to live right and
thought she wasn’t in place because of the circumstances and opposition she was
dealing with. I don’t sleep around but have often been overlooked and passed
over for other women who do, who haven’t sacrificed, don’t honor God, do right,
or live right who are engaged, married, and starting families. I pay my tithes
and give. And see people who don’t, that continue to prosper, even while their
money is cursed. And I’ve certainly seen and dealt with wicked spirits taking
residence in people in the workplace. Truthfully, what my 28 years on this
earth as a young believer continually teaches me is that you can be a Christian
that chooses to do things the “right” way and feel like you’re not successful,
making much progress, and also feel like you’re getting screwed over in the
process. But it doesn’t mean you’re not in place or that you won’t be blessed. God
always has strategies in place for your life. I told the woman I spoke with about
opposition being an opportunity. When all hell is breaking loose, it’s an
indication you’re in place and you’re in a position for God to swoop in and
tighten things up. Much of the chaos in your life is controlled in different
ways because God’s the one calling the shots. I first learned about this from
one of my favorite preachers, T.D. Jakes. I’ll never forget a memorable sermon
he preached about opposition being an opportunity. God allows things to happen
in our lives and is still in control and faithful, no matter how messed up
things look, feel, and happen to be at the moment. Romans 8:28 reads, “And we
know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them that
are called according to his purpose.” In the midst of the frustration and
remaining faithful while frustrated, something inside me compels me to hold on.
Even when I have to go through things I don’t like or understand. I only hope that
all will be revealed in the process.
I’m a Black educator in my fifth year of teaching middle school English, and in my third as the 8th Grade English PLC (Professional Learning Community) Lead. And while I genuinely enjoy the purposeful work I get to do, seeing the growth of my scholars, and continuing to hone my skills in a content area I’ve loved since I was a little girl, I’ve had to confront some unpleasant experiences in this space. I’d been through much worse when I was an academic advisor at a Christian university. Racism, sexism, harassment, and workplace bullying were sadly norms in that environment. However, some of what I’ve experienced as a Black educator hasn’t been normal … It doesn’t seem normal to be the only Black educator in my department – in a predominantly Black school. One of my Black colleagues once said, “It should look like a Tyler Perry movie in here.” But it doesn’t. It didn’t feel normal being reprimanded in a meeting (during my second year of teaching) by an administrator who went in on...