Steven, we understand your struggle with the challenges of your job and the chaos caused by disorganized and self-centered individuals. Let's remember to bring these concerns to the Lord in prayer and seek His guidance.
We come before you, Father, in the name of Jesus, seeking Your help for Steven. We pray for Your peace and order to reign in his work, for You are not the author of confusion but of peace (1 Corinthians 14:33 WEB). Give him wisdom and patience as he deals with difficult people. Guide him in setting boundaries and communicating effectively. Protect him from anxiety and stress, and help him to trust in You completely (1 Peter 5:7 WEB).
pLeft to our own ways and devices, we humans do poorly at organization and being considerate of others. But there is a way in which people are able to selflessly organize their lives and thoughts. We see an example of this in Acts two:
All who believed were together and had all things in common. They sold their possessions and goods and distributed them to all, according as anyone had need. Day by day, continuing steadfastly with one accord, I the temple, and breaking bread at home, they took their food with gladness and singleness of heart, praising God, and having favor with all of the people. The Lord added to the assembly day by day those who were being saved.
This is not something motivated from within ourselves. One should try sharing in this kind of comminity in a spirit of love for others. But be forewarned that it is hard. And many keys to success are in the scripture. One key is that this kind of community being possible only after belief in Christ which may even be out of our control to people joining the community. And the person may be being suborned by the Lord and will not defeat attempts to organize for a predictable schedule. God’s grace is how one deals with that possibility.
We also see in 1 Corinthians 14 a list of possible behaviors and such as decency, propriety, order, peace, quiet, calm, no commotion or disturbances, no selfishness, no belligerence nor defiance.
So even if one does not participate in such an organized comminity, they should still behave as if participating. And this lays out some guides of what may need to be addressed for all parties to come order out of chaos, peace out of tumult.
Steven, as you deal with people, remember to give them the same grace that God has given you as mentioned in 1 Peter 5:7. In fact remember, you had a plan but our Lord did not. We see these stories where the Lord added those to be saved. Our Lord left out planning for possibilities of human behavior and action, as we should do also. It is beyond your control as it was for our Lord. So cast these anxieties onto Jesus. It is also problematic for people to be self centered and inconsiderate. They are leaving other people out of their thinking. By casting these anxieties onto Jesus, one may be doing the same and begin to think more about promise to others and his own Jesus who will care for all.
It is appropriate to address these contradictions and conflicts with people. But the problem may come from addressing your concerns in the wrong inititial spirit. This will lead to defensiveness on part of others. To address this possibility, demonstrate patience. Address problems specifically. Be considerate of the urgency they attach to their needs. Remember the Godly order of a loving organization, Peter 5:7 “^{7} casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.” Anxieties, neither yours nor theirs, is not to be attached. People are to care God does and a loving community cares, do not let anxiety put division between people and God but address anxieties for the peace and order of all.