As Christians in the workplace the goal of our work is to bring glory to God but what happens when we make mistakes? All too often when I make a mistake I fall into a place of self-condemnation, feeling that I have shamed my Father.

A couple months ago I was going through a season of mistakes. In my business of custom sewing and alterations mistakes can be unalterable, especially when I cut something too small. Such was the case in these two incidents. When the clients called to tell me about the problems I attempted to respond as gracefully as possible telling them to bring their respective pieces in for me to try to change.

For several days a dark gloom hung over me, as I mulled over my mistakes. I belittled myself for allowing these mistakes to occur. In that sour state I even questioned why I was in business at all. I began asking God why He had allowed them to happen and what I should do in the future to prevent mistakes.

One thing He impressed on my heart was that He doesn’t expect perfection but humility. Though we should always endeavor to do our best on every job, the integrity of our work lies not so much in whether we offer a perfect service or whether we do perfect work, but in how we act when a customer, client or employer complains.

In the world the normal reaction to being confronted with a mistake is to hide, justify or rationalize. Accepting our mistakes, facing them with humility and a willingness to correct them brings glory to God. This attitude is the opposite of how our flesh desires to respond. Therefore when we respond with the grace given us by God He is glorified because His mighty work in our lives shines forth.

Through the practice of humility our businesses earn a reputation of integrity. People aren’t looking for a perfect service but they appreciate open honesty when they are dissatisfied with a service.

As we continue to work with diligence might we all remember to ask for the grace to face mistakes that might arise?

Naomi
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What should I do when I make a business mistake?
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