How Do You Stand Up to a Bully, Especially When It's Your Boss?

Standing Up to Workplace Bullies: What the Bible Teaches Us About Goliath, Jezebel, Ahab, Saul, and Korah

I have been asked this question countless times throughout my veterinary career: How do you stand up to a bully, especially when that bully is your boss?

Veterinary medicine is a female-dominated profession. Although workplace jealousy, hatred, bullying, and unhealthy competition should never be tolerated, unfortunately, these behaviors are not uncommon in veterinary clinics around the world.

I'm sure many of us have seen the movie Mean Girls. Sadly, sometimes the reality of workplace bullying in veterinary medicine can feel even worse.

It's rare to hear someone say, "I work at a unicorn hospital." So, what exactly is a unicorn hospital? It's a workplace where the environment is healthy, employees are valued, and the company, owners, and leadership genuinely care about the people who work there.

But shouldn't that be the standard for every veterinary clinic and workplace?

I believe we need to ask ourselves a different question. Instead of simply asking, "How do I stand up to my workplace bully?" or "How do I deal with the mean girl clique?" perhaps we should ask: Why aren't we looking at this situation through a different set of eyes?

And I'm not talking about simply changing our perspective. I'm talking about developing spiritual eyes.

Think about it for a moment. In Genesis 1:26–28, we are reminded of God's instructions concerning humanity's responsibility to care for His creation. This includes the world around us and the animals entrusted to our care. For those of us called to work in veterinary medicine, this responsibility carries a special significance.

However, we must also recognize that we are dealing with a real enemy: Satan, whose mission is to steal, kill, and destroy. So, how does this play out in the veterinary field?

One way is through division. The enemy uses conflict, jealousy, resentment, and workplace hostility to create chaos among our brothers and sisters in the clinic. Instead of working together, we find ourselves working against one another when our common purpose should be providing the best possible care for the animals entrusted to us. When we are divided, our patients can suffer.

Let's look at this from another angle. If we want to understand how to stand up to a bully, we must first learn to recognize the nature of what we are dealing with. We need discernment.

Throughout my time in veterinary medicine, I have worked alongside many different personalities. And, to put it frankly, it's a colorful rainbow out there!

However, as I have grown closer to Jesus and begun sharing my veterinary experiences through my podcast, I have developed a different way of looking at workplace interactions. I've become more intentional about seeking God's wisdom and discernment, particularly when navigating difficult personalities and challenging work environments.

I have learned that sometimes what we see on the surface is not the whole story. There may be deeper spiritual battles taking place beneath the behavior we experience every day.

I want to share a few examples of the different types of workplace bullies you may encounter. But before we get into those examples, I want to make something clear: Spiritual discernment is essential when determining how to approach the person and situation you are dealing with.

When asking God for spiritual eyes and discernment, don't forget to ask Him for the wisdom, strength, and courage to handle what He reveals to you. Discernment isn't simply about recognizing what you're dealing with; it's also about knowing how to respond.

You might be surprised by what God helps you recognize about the people and situations around you. Sometimes, the very person you thought you understood may require you to look a little deeper.

1. Goliath

Goliath is what I would consider an obvious bully. He's big, he's loud, and, well, that's about it: big and loud!

I'm sure this type of person sounds familiar to you in the workplace. This is the individual who is always waiting for an opportunity to embarrass you publicly, speaks loudly to intimidate others, or seems to have an answer for absolutely everything. I like to call these individuals "loud and wrong."

Let's take a look at the biblical story of Goliath. In 1 Samuel 17:4–7, Goliath is described as being six cubits and a span tall, which, depending on the measurement used, is approximately 9 feet 9 inches. Pretty big, right? His armor alone weighed approximately 125 pounds! Imagine carrying that around on top of his already massive frame.

The Israelites were terrified of this giant. They couldn't imagine anyone defeating him. Then comes David, a young shepherd boy who was willing to stand up against the very man everyone else feared.

Before David ever faced Goliath, he was ridiculed and questioned. Even his own brother criticized him, and King Saul questioned whether he was capable of fighting such a powerful opponent.

Doesn't that sound familiar?

I've noticed something interesting about workplace bullying. When someone finally decides to stand up to a bully, there always seems to be someone ready to remind them that they aren't qualified, aren't experienced enough, or aren't in a position to challenge what is happening. Yet, the very people offering those warnings are often standing on the sidelines, too afraid to speak up themselves.

If you won't stand up, then who will?

In David's situation, he was willing to do what an entire army of trained men had been too afraid to do. These were men who had been trained for battle, yet fear had paralyzed them. David, however, had something they had temporarily lost sight of: faith and courage.

And what was the outcome? David defeated Goliath!

I strongly encourage you to read the story of David and Goliath in 1 Samuel 17. However, when you reach verses 33–37, I want you to slow down and really study David's words. Pay attention to how he responded when others questioned his ability to face Goliath. More importantly, consider how you can apply those same principles to your own workplace experiences.

In my own experience with my Goliath, I did exactly as David did: I looked that person in the eyes and let them know who I was. You read my résumé and felt I was the right person to help you get this hospital into shape. That also included dealing with my Goliath. My Goliath tried to embarrass me on several occasions in front of my peers, but I stood firm with a smile. When I left that practice, my Goliath got sued for the very thing I knew would be their downfall: intimidation!

Here is what I want you to remember: You are called to care for God's creation, including the animals entrusted to you. When God has called you to do something, don't allow another person's intimidation, criticism, or lack of faith to make you question what God has placed within you.

Your Goliath may be loud, intimidating, and convinced that they have authority over you. But never mistake someone's size, position, title, or volume for power over what God has called you to do.

Sometimes, all it takes is one person willing to stand in faith.

2. Jezebel

I'm sure many of you are familiar with the woman Jezebel in the Bible. And if you aren't, chances are society has already taught you that this name represents something negative.

Jezebel's story is incredibly interesting, and the more I studied it, the more I realized there was so much more to learn about her character and behavior than I initially thought. I also began reflecting on my own experiences in veterinary medicine. I realized that I had worked under someone whose behavior reflected what I understood to be a Jezebel spirit. The frightening part was that I didn't recognize it at the time because my spiritual eyes and discernment had not yet been sharpened.

So, what does a Jezebel-type bully look like in the workplace?

This is someone who operates through control, manipulation, and intimidation. She may wear a smile, offer gifts, compliment you, and make you feel like you're part of her inner circle. However, the moment you disagree with her, establish boundaries, or tell her no, you suddenly become her enemy. And once that happens, she may begin working behind the scenes to remove you from the picture.

These individuals can hide in plain sight.

There was an incident involving a rumor that employees had been smoking marijuana at a house party hosted by a coworker. A newly hired doctor had been invited to the gathering, and the rumor circulating around the hospital suggested that she was the person who had initiated it.

Obviously, this was a serious accusation, especially in our profession, where drug testing can be a requirement of employment. Understandably, people were upset. However, what made the situation even more concerning was that the rumor came out of the mouth of the manager.

I later discovered that the information had come from a coworker who was particularly close to the manager and loved to feed her information. Whether intentional or not, the rumor created division, distrust, and unnecessary tension throughout the hospital. The doctor was understandably hurt by the accusation.

I decided it was time to address the situation directly. I brought the doctor and my manager into a room so we could discuss the rumor and get to the truth. Instead of taking accountability, my manager continued to deflect and position herself as the victim. I made it clear to my manager that it was distasteful not only to spread a rumor about someone who had not started it but also to stir the pot as a leader. If there were genuine concerns, that was not how a leader should handle the situation.

What happened afterward was something I didn't anticipate.

I later discovered that my manager had been going behind my back and telling upper management that I was turning the team against her. Think about that for a moment. I wasn't trying to turn anyone against her. I was trying to bring attention to manipulation, dishonesty, and behavior that was creating division within the team.

Unfortunately, the narrative began to change. Leaders who had once thought highly of me started looking at me differently because they had been given a different version of the story. In a nutshell, my manager did not like that I cared more about the mistreatment of my coworkers than about her response to the situation and the concerns surrounding her leadership.

But God wasn't finished revealing what was happening.

Eventually, I became aware of another situation in which my manager was attempting to get me fired over something I had no knowledge of. At that moment, I realized I could no longer remain silent about what was happening behind the scenes. I had to stop protecting someone else's reputation at the expense of my own.

Her behavior was no longer just affecting my workplace relationships; it was beginning to threaten my professional reputation and potentially my veterinary license.

I had to make a decision. I could either continue allowing misplaced loyalty to put everything I had worked for at risk, or I could stand up, speak the truth, and protect what God had entrusted to me.

I chose the latter.

The biblical story of Jezebel has a very sobering ending. Her downfall was severe, and I couldn't help but reflect on the similarities between the behaviors I had experienced and the biblical account. It reminded me that manipulation, control, and the abuse of authority may go unnoticed for a season, but they do not go unnoticed by God.

So, how do you deal with or stand up to a Jezebel-type bully?

You become an Obadiah.

Let's look at 1 Kings 18:3–4. Obadiah was a man who feared the Lord greatly. While Jezebel was ordering the destruction of God's prophets, Obadiah took action to protect them. He hid one hundred prophets in caves, fifty at a time, and provided them with food and water.

Here's something important to remember: Obadiah worked closely with King Ahab's household, where Jezebel held considerable influence. He was operating in an environment where standing for what was right could have put his own life at risk.

Yet he chose to fear God rather than surrender to Jezebel's wickedness.

Obadiah didn't have to become like Jezebel to stand against her. He didn't have to manipulate, threaten, or operate behind anyone's back. Instead, he demonstrated courage through his actions. He protected those who were vulnerable and remained faithful to God despite the circumstances surrounding him.

That is the lesson I want veterinary professionals to take away from this story.

You don't have to participate in workplace manipulation to survive. You don't have to compromise your integrity to keep your position. And you certainly don't have to protect someone else's wrongdoing at the expense of your professional reputation.

Sometimes standing up to a bully means speaking the truth. Other times, it means protecting someone who cannot defend themselves. And sometimes, it means quietly making the necessary decisions to protect your career, your integrity, and your peace.

Be an Obadiah. Fear God more than you fear the person sitting in the manager's office.

3. Ahab

Ahab was the seventh king of Northern Israel, and according to 1 Kings 16:30, he did more evil in the eyes of the Lord than all those who came before him.

Ahab was the kind of leader who was willing to compromise his integrity for worldly gain. He was heavily influenced by his wife, Jezebel, and repeatedly turned to her whenever he couldn't get what he wanted.

There is an interesting story in the Bible involving Ahab and a man named Naboth. Ahab wanted to purchase Naboth's vineyard, which was located near his palace. However, Naboth refused because the land was part of his family's inheritance.

Instead of accepting Naboth's answer and moving on, Ahab went home upset, turned away from everyone, and refused to eat.

Yes, you read that correctly. A king!

Rather than handling the situation like a leader, Ahab behaved like a child who had been told he couldn't have something he wanted. He went home and sulked until Jezebel stepped in.

Her response is recorded in 1 Kings 21:7:

"Do you now govern Israel? Arise, eat bread, and let your heart be cheerful; I will give you the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite."

In other words, Jezebel was questioning his leadership and telling him that she would take care of the situation.

She then arranged a scheme involving false accusations against Naboth, which ultimately resulted in his death. After Naboth was killed, Ahab took possession of the vineyard.

Think about that for a moment. Ahab wanted something, couldn't get it, and instead of exercising leadership and accepting the answer, he allowed someone else to manipulate the situation to get what he wanted.

I have to ask the same question Jezebel essentially raised: Is this how a leader should act?

I believe Ahab represents a particular type of workplace leader. This is the manager who avoids confrontation, lacks the courage to address problems directly, and runs to someone higher up the organizational ladder whenever they feel challenged.

Rather than resolving the situation themselves, they recruit someone else to handle the problem for them.

Remember the manager I mentioned in the previous section? I began recognizing Ahab-like behavior in that situation as well. When my manager felt challenged or backed into a corner, she would turn to upper management rather than address the situation directly with me. She attempted to get higher-level leadership involved, believing they would take care of the problem.

What she didn't realize was that those situations ultimately helped bring more attention to what was happening.

Throughout my veterinary career, I have encountered several managers who displayed similar leadership patterns. They seem more interested in the title, authority, and benefits that come with being in charge than in the actual responsibility of leading people.

They avoid difficult conversations, struggle with accountability, and rely on others to fight their battles.

So, how do you deal with an Ahab-type leader?

You become an Elijah.

Elijah was a prophet of God who was not afraid to confront Ahab and expose his wrongdoing. In fact, in 1 Kings 18:17, Ahab refers to Elijah as the one who troubles Israel.

Why? Because Elijah was willing to challenge what Ahab was doing instead of remaining silent.

I encourage you to read the powerful confrontation between Elijah and Ahab in 1 Kings 18:16–46. Pay close attention to the boldness Elijah demonstrated when standing before a king who had authority and influence.

There is an important lesson here for those of you dealing with Ahab-type leaders in veterinary medicine.

Sometimes, the person challenging an unhealthy workplace environment will be labeled as the troublemaker. The individual speaking up becomes the problem, while the behavior that created the problem goes unaddressed.

Sound familiar?

Ahab-type leaders may surround themselves with other people when confronting someone they cannot easily control. They may avoid direct conversations and instead rely on upper management, workplace alliances, or carefully worded meetings to gain an advantage.

You may even notice that one-on-one meetings are filled with compliments, flattery, and questions about your well-being or job satisfaction. While these conversations aren't necessarily harmful on their own, pay attention to whether the words are supported by genuine concern, transparency, and accountability.

Not everyone who asks how you're doing has bad intentions. However, don't allow flattery to replace discernment.

Elijah understood who he was standing before, but more importantly, he understood who stood with him.

After the confrontation on Mount Carmel, Ahab returned home and told Jezebel everything Elijah had done. Jezebel responded by threatening Elijah's life (1 Kings 19:1–2).

Once again, Ahab turned to Jezebel rather than demonstrating leadership himself.

But here's what I want my Elijahs to remember:

Your Ahab may have a Jezebel they run to, but you have Jesus, whose name is above every name.

You don't need an army of people to validate what God has shown you. You don't need a manager's approval to stand for what is right, and you don't have to surrender your integrity to make someone else comfortable.

Be bold, be wise, and remain grounded in God's truth.

Just remember, Elijah didn't stand before Ahab because he was fearless. He stood before him because his faith in God was greater than his fear of man.

4. Saul

Saul was a king who had been anointed by God, but because of his continued disobedience and pride, God ultimately rejected him as king. Although Saul was given opportunities to walk in obedience, his actions repeatedly demonstrated that he was unwilling to fully submit to God's instructions.

In a way, Saul knew that God had rejected him because of his disobedience. However, his true character became even more apparent when he realized who would eventually take his place.

Saul-type leaders can be particularly difficult to recognize. They may be charming, likable, and even appear to be genuinely supportive. You may find yourself feeling sorry for them when they make mistakes or struggle with leadership. However, their true nature can become apparent when they realize someone else is being positioned to take their place.

Here's something I want you to understand: Making mistakes as a leader doesn't automatically make you a bad leader. What matters is how you respond, whether you take accountability, and whether you allow pride and jealousy to dictate your behavior.

Remember David from our Goliath story? Well, David was the one who would eventually replace Saul as king.

At the time, Saul didn't know the full extent of what God had planned for David. God's timing and the unfolding of His plans were not something Saul controlled.

Initially, Saul welcomed David into his household and developed a close relationship with him. You can read about their early interactions in 1 Samuel 16–17. Saul even placed David in a position of responsibility within his army.

But that relationship was short-lived.

After David defeated Goliath, the people began celebrating his victory. They sang songs praising David, and their celebration exposed something ugly in Saul's heart: jealousy.

We see the beginning of this change in 1 Samuel 18:9:

"And Saul eyed David from that day and forward."

Saul's admiration quickly turned into suspicion and fear. Instead of celebrating David's success, he began viewing him as a threat.

And from there, things went downhill.

From 1 Samuel 18 through 31, we see Saul repeatedly pursuing David and attempting to take his life. What started as admiration turned into an unhealthy obsession with destroying someone who had done nothing to deserve such treatment.

Saul even attempted to manipulate David through his marriage to his daughter, arranged situations that placed David in danger, and, on more than one occasion, threw a spear at him in an attempt to kill him.

Think about that! Someone who once welcomed David into his household eventually became determined to destroy him.

This is what makes Saul such an important example when discussing workplace bullying.

A Saul-type leader may initially support you, encourage you, and even help you advance in your career. But when your abilities, accomplishments, influence, or recognition begin attracting attention, their attitude toward you may change.

Suddenly, your success becomes a threat.

Instead of celebrating your growth, they begin competing with you. Instead of mentoring you, they attempt to undermine you. And instead of recognizing your contributions, they may look for ways to make you question your abilities.

This is jealousy in leadership, and it can be incredibly destructive.

So, how did David respond to Saul's hatred?

With restraint, respect, and humility.

David had two separate opportunities to kill Saul. These encounters are recorded in 1 Samuel 24 and 26. On both occasions, David refused to take Saul's life, even though Saul was actively pursuing him.

Why?

David understood that he did not need to take matters into his own hands. He knew that God had anointed him, and he refused to compromise his character by taking revenge against Saul.

David had the opportunity to retaliate, but he chose not to.

There is a powerful lesson here for anyone dealing with a jealous leader in the workplace.

You do not have to become what is hurting you. You don't have to respond to jealousy with jealousy, hatred with hatred, or manipulation with manipulation.

You can remain professional, establish boundaries, document inappropriate behavior, and protect your career without allowing someone else's actions to change who you are.

David understood that his future was not dependent on Saul's approval.

And neither is yours.

When God has a calling on your life, don't allow another person's insecurity to convince you that your purpose has been taken away. Someone else's jealousy cannot determine what God has planned for you.

Saul's jealousy eventually contributed to his downfall. His story ends tragically in 1 Samuel 31, where he takes his own life during Israel's battle with the Philistines.

Here is what I want my veterinary professionals to remember:

A Saul-type leader may do everything within their power to steal your peace, undermine your confidence, and make you question the calling God has placed on your life. But don't allow their jealousy to distract you from your purpose.

Jealousy is destructive. It can consume a person's heart until they become more focused on destroying someone else's success than fulfilling their own responsibilities.

Keep pressing forward. Don't compete for a position God has not assigned to you, and don't fight battles that require you to compromise your integrity.

Your responsibility is to remain faithful to God and the work He has entrusted to you.

Let God handle the timing. Let Him handle the promotion. And most importantly, don't allow a Saul to make you forget that you are still David.

5. Korah and His Posse

I think many of us working in a female-dominated profession have either experienced a mean girl clique or, at the very least, witnessed one. Well, let me introduce you to what I consider the original mean girl group of biblical times: Korah and his posse!

Korah was a Levite who had been entrusted with responsibilities involving the Tabernacle. He was not just an ordinary person in the camp; he held a position of responsibility. However, despite the position he had been given, Korah became part of a rebellion against Moses.

Let's talk about Moses for a moment. He was the leader God appointed to bring the Israelites out of Egypt and lead them toward the Promised Land. And, as with any leadership position, Moses needed people around him to help carry out responsibilities and maintain order among the people.

Unfortunately, leadership doesn't always come with a supportive team. Sometimes, the very people appointed to help you become the ones complaining, criticizing, and questioning your authority.

That is exactly what happened with Korah.

Instead of recognizing the responsibilities he had already been given, Korah became dissatisfied and wanted more authority. He gathered 250 leaders from the community and joined them in challenging Moses and Aaron.

You can read this account in Numbers 16.

Now, here's something interesting: Korah wasn't acting alone. He had an entire group standing behind him. As I've mentioned in previous sections, people who want to challenge your authority or undermine your position often look for others to join them.

Sometimes, one person's dissatisfaction becomes an entire workplace clique.

And if you've ever worked in a veterinary hospital where a group of employees has decided they don't like you, you know exactly what I'm talking about!

Moses' response to Korah and his followers reveals something important about his character. He fell facedown before the Lord rather than immediately reacting out of anger or pride. He continued seeking God's direction, even when faced with open rebellion.

I also find it interesting that Moses attempted to reason with Korah and the others. He wanted them to understand the seriousness of what they were doing.

Now, I admire Moses' humility, but I also recognize that there comes a point when reasoning with people who have already made up their minds becomes exhausting.

There is nothing wrong with praying for your enemies, showing grace, or attempting to resolve conflict. However, you must also recognize when someone is determined to remain rebellious, regardless of how much effort you put into making peace.

As you read Numbers 16, I want you to pay particular attention to verses 22–25.

When God expressed His anger toward the rebellious assembly, Moses and Aaron pleaded for the people, asking God not to punish the entire congregation for the actions of a few. God then instructed Moses to warn the people to move away from the tents of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram.

What happened next was extraordinary.

The earth opened up and swallowed Korah, his household, and those associated with the rebellion. The 250 men offering incense were also struck down by God's judgment.

But you would think that would have been enough, right?

Nope!

The following day, the Israelites continued murmuring against Moses and Aaron, accusing them of being responsible for the deaths of the people. Their complaints led to another outbreak of God's judgment, and a plague began spreading throughout the camp.

Moses and Aaron once again intervened, and Aaron stood between the living and the dead to make atonement for the people (Numbers 16:41–50).

Think about that. Even after witnessing what had happened, people continued to blame Moses rather than recognize the seriousness of their rebellion.

This is why I want veterinary professionals to pay close attention to this story.

When dealing with workplace cliques, mean girls, or groups of people who have decided to make you their target, remember the example of Moses.

Stay humble, take your concerns to God, and don't allow a group of people to pull you into behavior that compromises your character.

From my own experiences working around mean girl groups, I've noticed that these alliances often fall apart eventually. People who come together through gossip, jealousy, and resentment don't always remain united when circumstances change.

And when I say they fall apart or perish, I'm not talking about physical death. I'm talking about the destruction of that toxic mentality and the collapse of the unhealthy alliances they built.

You also need to remember something: God hears conversations you aren't present for. He sees the things happening behind closed doors, the conversations happening when you leave the room, and the intentions that people may try to hide.

You don't have to attend every meeting, defend yourself against every rumor, or fight every battle someone places in front of you.

Be like Moses. Remain humble, seek God's direction, and don't confuse humility with allowing people to continually mistreat you.

And most importantly, when God tells you to move, MOVE!

Sometimes the greatest demonstration of faith isn't standing in the middle of the chaos trying to prove your point. Sometimes it's having enough discernment to recognize when God is telling you to step away.

Conclusion: Recognize the Battle, Remember Your Calling

As I mentioned throughout this article, these are just a few examples of what workplace bullying and unhealthy leadership can look like when viewed through a spiritual perspective. There are many other biblical examples we could explore, but my hope is that these stories have encouraged you to look beyond what you see on the surface.

Remember to ask God for spiritual discernment, wisdom, and strength when navigating difficult workplace relationships. Sometimes, what appears to be a personality conflict may reveal a much deeper struggle involving pride, jealousy, manipulation, control, and division.

The Bible reminds us in Ephesians 6:12 that we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against spiritual forces of darkness. What does that mean when it comes to your workplace bully?

It means that while the person may be named Karen, the spiritual battle you are facing goes much deeper than a disagreement with someone who has a difficult personality. However, this doesn't mean we should automatically label people or excuse their behavior. We must learn to recognize the difference between the person and the harmful behavior while remaining grounded in God's truth.

As believers in Christ, we must understand that we are called to respond differently. We cannot allow someone else's jealousy to turn us bitter, someone's manipulation to make us dishonest, or someone's intimidation to silence us when we need to advocate for our patients.

Remember, you didn't enter veterinary medicine simply to collect a paycheck or earn a professional title. You entered this field to care for animals, serve others, and fulfill a purpose. Genesis 1:26–28 reminds us of humanity's responsibility toward God's creation. That responsibility should not be overshadowed by workplace drama, unhealthy competition, or toxic leadership.

But let me make something very clear: Being a Christian does not mean being a doormat.

Jesus taught us to love our enemies, but that doesn't mean we must remain in environments where we are continually mistreated. You can forgive someone and still establish boundaries. You can pray for your manager and still report misconduct. You can remain humble while speaking up for yourself and advocating for your patients.

Sometimes God will give you the strength to stand your ground. Other times, He will give you the wisdom to walk away. The important thing is learning to recognize the difference.

So, the next time you encounter a Goliath, remember David. When you encounter a Jezebel, remember Obadiah. When you encounter an Ahab, remember Elijah. When you encounter a Saul, remember David's humility. And when you find yourself surrounded by a Korah and his posse, remember Moses.

Each of these biblical stories reminds us that we don't have to fight workplace battles using the world's methods.

Before you react, pray. Before you speak, seek wisdom. Before you make a decision, ask God for direction. And when you recognize that something is wrong, don't allow fear to convince you to remain silent.

To my veterinary technicians, assistants, doctors, and everyone working behind the scenes in veterinary medicine: I want you to remember that your calling is bigger than your workplace title, your manager's approval, or the opinions of your coworkers.

Don't allow a toxic workplace to make you forget why God called you into this field in the first place.

You can stand in truth without becoming hateful. You can be bold without becoming prideful. You can protect your peace without compromising your purpose.

And most importantly, never forget who is fighting alongside you.

Put on the full armor of God (Ephesians 6:10–18), keep your eyes on Jesus, and remember that your workplace may be the battlefield, but God is still your source of strength.

You were called to care for His creation, not to be consumed by the chaos surrounding you.

Stay faithful. Stay discerning. Stay courageous. And above all, keep your eyes on Jesus.