*When Others Seem to Receive More with Less Effort*
Jesus said to him, “If I want him to stay alive until I come [again], what is that to you? You follow Me!” John 21:22
One of the hardest feelings to wrestle with is the sense of injustice when others succeed more quickly or receive blessings with less effort. Our human heart cries out, *“Why them, Lord, and not me?”* This very struggle is reflected in Peter’s question about John: *“Lord, what about this man?”* . Jesus’ reply was piercing: *“What is that to you? You follow Me”*.
The root of this struggle is comparison. When we measure our journey by another’s reward, envy quietly grows. Yet Scripture reminds us: *“The race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong… but time and chance happen to them all”* (Ecclesiastes 9:11). God’s dealings are not bound by human fairness; He distributes according to His wisdom, not our sense of equity.
Remember the parable of the workers in the vineyard (Matthew 20:1–16). Those who labored all day received the same wage as those who came in at the last hour. From the outside, it looked unfair. But the Master reminded them: *“Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me? Or do you begrudge my generosity?”*
The truth is liberating: God’s blessings for others do not reduce His portion for us. Each calling is unique. Our responsibility is not to question another’s journey but to faithfully walk in ours. *“Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus”* (Hebrews 12:1–2).
Your brother in Christ,
Apostle Ashok Martin
*Declarations Against Feelings of Injustice*
1. *I declare* that I will fix my eyes on Jesus, not on others, for He has said: *“You follow Me.”* (John 21:22)
2. *I declare* that I will not compare my path with anyone else’s, for *“each will have to bear his own load.”* (Galatians 6:5)
3. *I declare* that I am content in my calling, for *“godliness with contentment is great gain.”* (1 Timothy 6:6)
4. *I declare* that envy and bitterness will not take root in my heart, for *“a sound heart is life to the body, but envy is rottenness to the bones.”* (Proverbs 14:30)
5. *I declare* that I trust God’s justice and timing, for *“He makes everything beautiful in its time.”* (Ecclesiastes 3:11)
6. *I declare* that another’s blessing is not my loss, for *“the Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.”* (Psalm 23:1)
7. *I declare* that I rejoice with those who rejoice, for *“love does not envy; love does not boast.”* (1 Corinthians 13:4, Romans 12:15)
8. *I declare* that I will faithfully run my race, for *“let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.”* (Hebrews 12:1)
9. *I declare* that my reward comes from the Lord, not from men, for *“your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.”* (Matthew 6:4)
10. *I declare* that I am secure in God’s portion for me, for *“the lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance.”* (Psalm 16:6)