Sr Lini Sheeja MSC –
Do we ever find ourselves as victims of others’ jealousy, bitterness and anger? Each of us is created by the Heavenly Father in a unique way for a unique purpose. The call of each of us is unique, but the God who created us is one. When you excel in your career, when you are gifted with special gifts, when you are someone different, you are bound to encounter a lot of jealous, angry and bitter faces around you. Are you going to give up on seeing the different faces? There will be some people who will encourage us and some others who will discourage us in our life’s journey. There will be some who will pull us down whilst there will always be a few who will lift us up on our life’s journey. There will be some people who will wipe our tears and some who will make us cry! Do we respond or react to them? If we respond we are winners but if we react we are losers in our journey.
Life is Only Once!
Dear readers, there is only one life assigned to us. We have no time to react, cry, weep and mourn. We need to march ahead. And the dreams in your life will keep you marching ahead. Let nothing be a stumbling block for us. But, rather, let us take others’ jealousies, bitterness, and anger as stepping stones and we will see wonders. Let the world know the fruits from your response.
Sadducees and Pharisees in Our Lives
There were so many who were jealous of Jesus and His mission. The jealousy of those people led Him to Calvary. Jesus was not a thief, not a murderer, nor a criminal. But He underwent the worst punishment; the Crucifixion. Jesus the innocent God was crucified on the cross only because of the jealousy of those Pharisees, Sadducees and the priests. However, Jesus never became a victim of their jealousy, but rather He overcame it by embracing the Cross with love. As the result of his patient endurance, He was resurrected on the third day. Ultimately, Jesus became winner and others became losers. We continue to find the Sadducees and Pharisees even today in our workplaces, at times even in our friend-circle and families who are just jealous of our growth. Never become victim of their jealousy, rather take it as an opportunity to grow. Let us have the attitude of Jesus and bring forth abundant fruit.
More the Talents, More the Jealousy
Our God always encourages us. Our God always provides opportunities as is obvious from the “Parable of the Talents” (Mt 25:14-30). God rewards those who put considerable effort into bettering their lives and the lives of those in the peripheries. But humanity is quite different. More the talents more the jealousy! More the gifts more the bitterness! But it is important to bear in mind that in all these experiences, our God journeys with us. If we allow ourselves to be victimized by others’ jealousy, we will have no time to count the blessings, the gifts and graces.
When God is for Us, Who can be against us?
A few days back, a friend of mine called me and said, “Sister, I’m in great distress, I need your prayers, for my office is trying its level best to tarnish my name. My colleagues are jealous of my performance. I’m disturbed. Their jealousy is playing a major role in removing me from the office.” After having listened to her, I had nothing else to say to her except the Bible verse, Romans 8:31, “If God be for us, who can be against us?” I concluded by saying, “God’s ways are perfect. All those who are trying to tarnish your name today will rewrite it tomorrow. This bitterness will turn to be a testimony. Trust the Lord. Be patient in your journey. Surrender to Him and God will bring out the best from this experience.” I’m sure each of you has a story to narrate to me from your life experience.
March towards Your Dreams
Never hate people who are jealous of you, but respect their jealousy. They are people who think you are better than them. They are the people who make you realize the gifts and talents you are blessed with. Thank God for them in your journey and march ahead towards your dreams. Have dreams! No jealousy, no bitterness and no anger can pull you down. Have dreams for the broken humanity! Your dreams, good deeds and God’s powerful hand will always lead you. Let the jealousy and bitterness of others become the ladder for us. There are two types of people: one that hurts and the other who changes you. Never allow the people with jealousy to hurt you, but rather let their jealousy bring out the best in you. Let their jealousy help us identify our hidden talents to become better persons.
Sr Lini Sheeja MSC, belongs to the Congregation of Missionary Sisters of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. She worked as the team member of Child-line, BOSCO Bangalore. She served as the Chief-Editor for Prison Voice, a national monthly magazine and she authored a book named, Prison Ministry: The Dreamers’ Mission in which she invites the dreamers to join hands together to do wonders for the broken humanity.