It’s frustrating to say the least to watch someone have things fall into place perfectly in their lives while that same person is the one who held us back for a promotion. There are times when we work hard to groom a talent yet no matter where we go to serve the same person or people are there telling us to go away. Other times we will make good grades as a student which qualifies us to participate in a sport yet the same ones get picked each time.
We watch while the ones who hurt us so deeply prosper. They score the winning touchdown. They get a big solo. They get to become big boss. We know we earned it. We prayed for it. We did everything according to the rules. We get held back, belittled or overlooked by big shots in life. Time passes us by and we are still in a position in life where we feel we are being punished for no reason.
How do we get past this type of horrible defeat? Probably the hardest thing we are called to do is to pray for those who despitefully use us. It’s not just any prayer but one where we truly ask God to be with that person. We ask God to heal the things deep in their hearts that have made them so hurtful. We pray that God will use the promotion and positions in their lives to direct their attention to Christ where they can give thanks. We pray for that person to have peace that passes all understanding.
What we sometimes overlook is the fact that something negative in their lives caused their possessiveness, narcissism or spitefulness. They fail to realize that God is their answer and not anything the world has to offer. Many times it’s a silent cry for attention but they are going about things in all the wrong ways. They are the ones to lose out because it costs them their reputation and many friendships. If they continue on being possessive of the things of the world and never trust Christ as Lord, the rewards they have taken from others will be the best they ever get.
We look forward to eternal rewards. Even if we never get things here the way we want, God has better. As we trust Him in these situations where we have been wronged and robbed we can know that God will provide a way to serve that has eternal value. God is fair and He will not allow one of His servants to remain idle for very long. God will make a way.
Proverbs 23:17-18 New Living Translation
Don’t envy sinners, but always continue to fear the Lord. You will be rewarded for this; your hope will not be disappointed.