Be Like Daniel: responded with wisdom and balanced judgemenT

Daniel experienced a hostile work environment. In Daniel 2, King Nebuchadnezzar was having nightmares and asked his magicians, enchanters, sorcerers, and astrologers for help. Rather than tell them what he dreamed, he demanded they use their “spiritual” abilities to identify what he dreamt and what it meant. He added that those who failed to do this would be “torn limb from limb” and find their homes “turned into heaps of rubble” (Daniel 2: 1-5). They replied that “no one except the gods” could tell him his dream. As a result, he ordered all the wisemen, including Daniel, to be killed. Talk about a hostile work environment!

The Bible implies Daniel was excluded from the wisemen’s attempt to decipher the dream. When the commander of the guard comes to kill Daniel, he asks why the king issued such a harsh decree. The guard then tells him what happened. The Bible does not state in Daniel Chapter 2 why Daniel was excluded. It could have been a miscommunication, ineffective management, or a mobbing plot. Whatever the case, Daniel, full of wisdom and discretion, went to the king and asked for more time (Chapter 2:14-16). He did not know how this conversation would turn out. He just knew he had to say something as remaining silent meant a certain death. He kept his wits and courageously tried to resolve the problem so he, and his three friends, could stay alive. 

I do not know what hostile work environment you are experiencing. Whatever the circumstances, I imagine it scares you. Like Daniel, you feel like your very life is in danger. Professionally, you fear retaliation, perhaps even the exclusion Daniel encountered. Personally, you worry you will lose your privacy, financial security, and work-life balance. Culturally, you wonder if you will endure victim blaming statements. Psychologically, you feel broken and weak. In the midst of these threats, we can find courage and strength. Daniel faced an death sentence and talked to the exact king who ordered his execution. He kept his wits and reason. He advocated for himself and for his friends. He did not freeze or runaway. He ignored his fears and expressed his needs.

Maybe you were like me and did not formally report your harassment. Maybe this decision haunts you today. You can still tell someone your sexual harassment narrative. Maybe it is to a struggling friend or the young college grad entering the work world. Maybe it is the politicians within your state or the children in your life. Like Daniel, you can ignore your fears and share your needs. Maybe it is the need to education others so your experience does not happen again. Maybe it is the need for your friend to know that God meets us where we are and loves us no matter what mistakes we make. Maybe it is the need for legislative reform. Whatever your needs, set aside your fears and share it.  

Every survivor, no matter their narrative, can be like Daniel. We can gather wisdom and strength and share our needs.