Author: Evangelist Daniel Sushanth.

Unfortunately, it is not uncommon to encounter situations in life where we may fall victim to being taken advantage of or exploited by others. This phenomenon seems to be increasingly prevalent in our society, where individuals gain our trust for their own benefit, only to disregard us as if we do not matter to them, earning them the label of opportunists.

In our daily lives, we often come across people who manipulate our emotions and prey on our vulnerabilities. They may initially appear friendly and kind, but their true motives are hidden, making it difficult for us to discern their intentions. As a result, we may end up feeling like scapegoats, experiencing emotions such as anger, resentment, and even isolation, which can deeply impact our emotional well-being.

After being betrayed, our confidence in others may diminish, making it challenging for us to trust people easily. Such behaviour can even lead to depression and isolation, profoundly affecting our emotions. We may refer to this group of people as opportunists, as they know how to manipulate and use others for their personal gain. They can go to great lengths, making false promises and commitments that exceed our imaginations.

This increase in opportunistic behaviour is one of the main reasons for the rise in resentment in our community, which often results in broken relationships. Speaking from personal experience, I do not have all the answers, as I too have been a victim of such opportunistic behaviour.

Identifying opportunists can be difficult, as they could be among our own family members, friends, or neighbours. I am not advocating for people to become distant and stay away from others, but rather to learn from past experiences and approach relationships with caution and discernment. Just like the example of Judas betraying Jesus for a few coins recorded in the Bible. In Matthew 26:14-16, 20-25 of the Christian Bible, it is recounted how Judas Iscariot, one of Jesus’ disciples, made a deal with the chief priests to betray Jesus. Judas agreed to betray Jesus for thirty pieces of silver and sought an opportunity to hand Jesus over to them.

In conclusion, it is important to be aware of opportunistic behaviour in our interactions with others, and while we cannot always avoid encountering such individuals, we can learn from our experiences and approach relationships with caution and discernment. It can be challenging, but it is important to forgive them, as Jesus did, and let go of resentment for the sake of our own emotional well-being.

Father, I humbly seek your guidance and protection. I ask for the strength to forgive those who have wronged me and to release any bitterness or resentment from my heart. Please grant me wisdom and discernment to approach relationships with caution and learn from my experiences. I am grateful for your endless love and grace, and I pray all of this in Jesus’ name. Amen.

##Living by Faith##