Testimony at Workplace: Peers Aren’t Enemies

By Xiaojiing

It is widely felt that doing business is never easy and getting along with peers can be almost impossible. Jiang Shan couldn’t agree more with this. She and Mrs. Lin both set up stalls and their stalls are next to each other. When customers visit Lin’s stall, Jiang Shan then helps her sell products; if customers don’t buy things from Jiang, she then recommends them to look at Lin’s products. Just like that, they two get along pretty well.

However, business has been so bad recently. Their stalls are deserted and there are only several customers a day. Unknowingly, their relationship begins to change.

One day, Jiang finally has one customer over. She is gladly introducing products and the customer also shows desire to buy. Jiang thought that Lin would help her and facilitate the trade, but unexpectedly, Lin comes over and says to the customer intentionally, “It’s cost-effective to buy things at a shopping mall. Things there have good quality.” After listening to this, the customer left immediately. Clearly, the transaction fails. Seeing this, Jiang is so upset. She didn’t expect Lin would do this to her, but she is embarrassed to lose tempter, only complaining against Lin in her heart. “How did you do this? The business has already been slow, and it is not easy to have a customer. If you don’t help, why did you make the customer leave? What is your purpose? Are you jealous of me because I have a customer but you don’t? You are malicious. I know your face but don’t know your face. I cannot let this pass easily. I must argue with you.” But she then remembers that she is a believer of the Lord, and what she thought is not in line with the Lord’s will.

But if she just let it go, this is against her will. Helplessly, she is sulking sitting on a bench. Lin is aware of that and has to walk away. Jiang’s heart is doing somersaults, “Is it that you see I’m easy to bully? I won’t let it go so easily. When you have customers, I will also get them away and let you know how I feel.” Jiang is having a desire to take revenge against Lin because of resentment. Then she stares at Lin’s stall and looks at whether there is a customer.

At that time, she suddenly feels very guilty, “If I really did that, am I the same like her? I believe in the Lord. Isn’t it humiliating God’s name if I seek vengeance?” Jiang wakes up from resentment, and then prays to God in her heart, “O Lord, what should I do in such an environment? If I take revenge on Lin, I will be like an unbeliever. Lord, I cannot do that. But I am so upset and my heart is filled with resentment and vengeful state. Please protect my heart, so I won’t bring dishonor to You.” She feels much more relieved after praying. Then, she sees Lin coming over. Before, she would have a chat with Lin happily, but now Jiang is unwilling to forgive Lin. So she turns around and doesn’t want to speak to Lin.

At night, Jiang feels suffocated when thinking back on what she has thought about during the day. She is reminded of 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). From what the Lord requires of man, Jiang understands that the Lord is capable of mercy and tolerance, and He can forgive man’s disobedience and transgressions. The Lord asks us to be tolerant and forgive others. Pondering the Lord’s words, she realizes that she doesn’t have tolerance and forgiveness when she intends to disturb Lin’s business, and even wants to scold her and take revenge on her. She feels regret failing to put the Lord’s words into practice. Meanwhile, she is aware that Lin’s selflessness is because of her corruption by Satan. She is an unbeliever, so it is easy for her to feel jealous when seeing others have a customer but she doesn’t. She is afflicted and harmed by Satan. Jiang thinks that she should be tolerant and forgive Lin. Pondering like this, Jiang has the way to practice and understands what to do when she sees Lin next time.

The next morning, Jiang sets up her stall in the early time, and Lin comes over after a while. When Lin is busy, Jiang has a desire to say hello to Lin, but she still feels angry about what Lin did yesterday. The Lord’s requirement comes to her, reminding her that the hate and revenge will bring dishonor to God. So she decides to let go of resentment and practice the Lord’s words. Then she actively goes forward to say hello to Lin. Lin seems embarrassed and sorry. After practicing this way, Jiang feels peaceful, free of anxiety. Thus, she leaves the resentment behind and they two are friends again.

This experience teaches Lin: If man feels suffering because of conflicts with others, as long as we seek the Lord’s will, the Lord will guide us by our side, comfort and lead us with His words, showing us the right direction to go, so that we will feel less pain and gain peace and joy. From that time on, Lin is more confident and resolute to practice the Lord’s words. She offers thanks and praise to the Lord in her heart.