Oftentimes we see others perform better than we do, and although some of us would hate it, it's just right to be happy for those who actually do better than we do. Do you have a problem accepting the fact that there is somebody better than you? If you do, then you're in trouble.
Insecurity brings an imminent defeat on the person who owns it. The Bible portrays King Saul to be a mighty king, yet insecure to a young man named David. His insecurity got the best of him when he heard people singing "Saul has killed his thousands, and David his ten thousands" (1 Samuel 18:7). He then became jealous of the young shepherd-turned-royal musician/warrior. After hearing that song, he started attempting to kill the next King of Israel, throwing spears at him.
Imagine, what if King Saul succeeded in killing David out of his jealousy. We wouldn't have the beloved psalmist of the Bible, the man from whose lineage the Saviour of the world would be born into.
Friend, did you know that when you respond to a fellow Christian's success in the wrong way, you are setting yourself up for much hurt, not to mention a possible hindrance to what God might do through that fellow Christian? You must learn to respond well!
Here are some responses you can make when a fellow Christian's success surpasses yours.
1. Appreciate them genuinely
There's a person in the book of Acts named Barnabas. This guy convinced the apostles to accept Paul (who was then named Saul), because he believed that the latter was truly born again (see Acts 9:26-30). His warmth for Paul was so genuine and his desire to see the church welcome him was such that without knowing it he actually paved the way for the great missionary to feel at home with his brethren.
In the same way, if you treat your better-performing fellow believer right, he just might be one of the best servants in the Body of Christ in his generation. Don't cast him away!
2. Know your role and don't overdo it
John the Baptist knew his very role, and that is to prepare the way for the Lord Jesus Christ. Indeed this man never had any insecurity towards his Cousin, and even when his followers followed Jesus, he wasn't angry.
John 3:27-30 shows John the Baptist's joy in Christ: "John replied, 'No one can receive anything unless God gives it from heaven. You yourselves know how plainly I told you, 'I am not the Messiah. I am only here to prepare the way for him.' It is the bridegroom who marries the bride, and the bridegroom's friend is simply glad to stand with him and hear his vows. Therefore, I am filled with joy at his success. He must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less."
3. Thank God for them
The best thing to do? Thank the Lord for your fellow follower of Christ! Paul kept thanking God for all the believers that he hears about. Here's an excerpt from Romans 1:8-9, and it just shows how happy he is that another people's faith is being heard of.
"Let me say first that I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith in him is being talked about all over the world. God knows how often I pray for you. Day and night I bring you and your needs in prayer to God, whom I serve with all my heart by spreading the Good News about his Son."
