Testimony at Workplace: Bridging the Gap Between Miss Wu and Me

By Jiang Sheng

In January this year, we welcomed our new colleague, Miss Wu, who is eight years older than me and takes her job very seriously. At the beginning, I was glad to help her, and she praised me by saying that I was young and a quick learner. So our association was really agreeable. But after some time, I found that Wu often said something too direct and even gave pointed remarks, which hurt my face and made me embarrassed. Gradually, a rift between us emerged.

One day, my leader asked me to compile a proposal, and I took it over with confidence. I finally got it done after making some efforts. After I handed it over to my leader, he suggested a number of amendments and told me to hand it in the next day. But at this point, Miss Wu said wittily, “You have worked here for 2 years. Is this what you can do? Unable to handle a proposal?” Her words made me so embarrassed, and I felt like I was clapped by someone. I didn’t know where to put myself. I thought, “I already feel ashamed to do a bad job, but you mocked and belittled me in front of my leader. Are you embarrassing me intentionally? What do you mean by that? Do you think I am easily bullied? If you do something wrong at work, I will devalue you and let you know what I am feeling now.” I felt so furious in my heart, but considering my leader present, I didn’t say anything.

I tried hard to hide my anger and went back to my computer to edit my proposal. But Miss Wu looked normal, like nothing happened. I thought, “Why did you not use your brain when you speak? If I spend more time with you, I will be angered to death.”

After that, I was full of opinions about her whenever I thought of how she humiliated me in front of my leader, which disturbed so much. During the 2 years I worked here, no one said to me like that. Wu was new here, so what made her say that to me? My leader didn’t blame me for my imperfect work. How could she judge me in front of my leader? I didn’t want to talk to her anymore.

Afterward, I pretended I didn’t see her when I saw her. We worked in the same office, but I had no intention to speak to her. Sometimes, she asked me for help, but I was unwilling to and unenthusiastic to her. One day, her computer crashed because of breakdowns when she was going to prepare some documents. She said she wanted to use my computer to look into something. But I thought, “I still have a lot of things to do. If you use my computer, do you want to delay my work?” Again, I thought of what she had done to me, so I told her reluctantly, “I am busy now. I will see after I finish my work.” Listening to what I said, Miss Wu said nothing. I felt a bit guilty when I saw her waiting there aimlessly. “She just wants to use my computer and conduct a search. Is it necessary to treat her this way? Why am I so callous?” But spoken words couldn’t be swallowed. Just like this, my coldness caused our relationship to become distant and estranged. She also rarely spoke to me. Sometimes I wanted to have a heart-to-heart talk with her, but I had no courage to actively open my mouth and still couldn’t forgive her for what she had done to me.

As time went by, I felt dark spiritually. So I came before the Lord and reflected on myself, “I am a believer in God, but I have no love for Miss Wu. I didn’t put God’s words into practice. This is not in line with God’s will.” I was at a loss, so I prayed to the Lord and sought, “O Lord, my colleague said something that hurt my face. I have prejudices against her, and I cannot let them go. I clearly know that I am not doing the right thing, but I cannot constrain myself. O Lord, please enable me to be tolerant and put aside my opinions about her.”

As I was seeking, I read some scriptures, “Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? Jesus said to him, I say not to you, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven” (Matthew 18:21-22). “That you may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the middle of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom you shine as lights in the world; Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither labored in vain” (Philippians 2:15-16).

By pondering these words, I finally understood the Lord’s will. He asked us to learn to forgive people and be tolerant, be light, be salt and be a person who brings the Lord joy. Whether they be our friends, family, colleagues, or anyone who hurts us, we all need to put the Lord’s words into practice. We should not find fault with people but should forgive and be tolerant to them. This is the essential truth believers in God should practice at least. However, I was full of opinions about Miss Wu and pushed her away intentionally, and even had no intention to talk to her, and refused to help her. Was this “An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth!”? Was there any true human likeness in what I lived out? How could I glorify the Lord’s name? I thought about the Lord Jesus. He was nailed to the cross to redeem humans, but He still prayed for enemies. God’s heart is so kind. We were sinners, but God still gave us mercy, forgave us and gave us opportunities to repent. I needed to put aside my opinions about Miss Wu from my heart, and gave no thought to the gains and losses of my face. I must act according to the Lord’s words and live out likeness of belief in God. Thinking of all this, I felt so enlightened then, and my resentment disappeared.

From then on, I changed my attitude towards Miss Wu and began to talk to her actively, and our relationship became harmonious. Once, she asked me to help her find some information, I then tried to have an open mind, practice the Lord’s words, and show love and patience to her. So I put aside what I was doing and helped her. Soon after, I found what she needed. Wu was so happy.

After that, I opened my heart and said to her, “Some time ago, you said something unpleasant about me in front of the leader. I lost face, so I was really upset. But I shouldn’t have treated you like that. I hope you don’t keep this in mind.” She also said something from her heart, “I am an outspoken person. I am so sorry to say that to you that day in front of the leader. It is hard for you to accept. I shouldn’t have said that.” I smiled and said, “It’s not a big deal. Let’s forget it.” So we let bygones be bygones and removed our barriers. I felt much more released. After we got along with each other again, our office was full of laughter as before.