Here’s another example of how God answered my prayer and helped me with an enemy. I would chit-chat with a coworker named Jane* at an office I used to work at several years ago.

I wouldn’t tell her personal things that I was ashamed of, but I would tell her things that I didn’t mind sharing (i.e. goals and my past relationships). I really liked talking to Jane* and thought she was confident, wise, funny, and genuine. We only talked at work and didn’t call each other or hang out after work. One evening, the Holy Spirit brought her name to me and warned me to be careful because she wasn’t who I thought she was (He had brought the words “backstabber” and “don’t trust her.”). When God revealed this information to me, I was very concerned and distanced myself from Jane.*

One day, Jane* noticed my behavior and asked what was going on. I could not reveal what the Holy Spirit told me and just acted like nothing was wrong. After that, Jane* tried to make things very uncomfortable for me. Sometimes she would watch me while I worked. On one occasion, I overheard her telling another other worker that someone was talking about her. I suspected Jane* was telling people that I was speaking negatively about her; I started feeling a nasty vibe from another worker that we both knew, and I hadn’t felt that vibe before. But I never said anything about Jane*! There were other times when she would be constantly whispering something to other workers. I could sense a lot of tension, felt uncomfortable, and just didn’t want to be bothered; all I wanted to do was get my work done in peace. I’m not sure how long this tension lasted but it could have been for 4 months or a little longer.

One day, I prayed and asked God to have me moved to a different section of the office. The natural thing would’ve been to pray and ask God to remove Jane*, but I thought it would be better for me to be moved. I didn’t know how it was going to work out or if the prayer would be answered. But about a week later, my prayer was answered! One day, at random, management decided to change everyone’s seating arrangements; everything seemed so chaotic, and the decision didn’t seem to be planned. Some workers were upset because their new seats were further away from their friends. I, on the other hand, was ecstatic! I was moved to the adjacent row, and my new cubicle was across from my old one. Jane* was moved to a cubicle on the opposite side of the room, which was further away from me. I couldn’t believe it, and I didn’t expect it to turn out this way.

Thank you, God, for answering my prayer and helping me!

Throughout the years, I can admit that despite God answering my prayer, I have looked back at that situation and felt guilty because I stopped talking to Jane*. The last thing I wanted to do was hurt her or cause tension. But when I think about everything now, she was the one that caused the tension by her actions! Her true colors were revealed when I “pulled back.” If I would’ve ignored the Holy Spirit’s warning, then I would’ve had to pay the price because there’s no telling what she would have eventually done. I don’t wish her any harm and hope she’s doing well. I pray that she finds Jesus and develops a relationship with Him. 

Although that was an uncomfortable situation back then, God helped me and gave me strength to get through it. He also heard and answered my prayer. Psalm 17:6-7 says: “I have called upon thee, for thou wilt hear me, O God: incline thine ear unto me, and hear my speech. Shew thy marvelous lovingkindness, O thou that savest by thy right hand them which put their trust in thee from those that rise up against them.” If God helped me with enemies in the past, then surely He can help me with enemies in the present and future!