The Stock Scam Imbroglio   "Seek first the kingdom of God and his justice and all the rest will be given to you" (Mt 6:33).  
 
I was one of the top persons in society, educationally and financially and was holding high positions in social and professional organisations. I was so self-confident that I had the courage to give up a class 1 India-Government job and entered into business.
 
I became a member of the Cochin Stock Exchange in 1988 and functioned as a stock-broker, in addition to my main business as a free-lance professional consultant. Everything was going on fine and I was enjoying great prestige and prosperity.
 
Then came the dooms-day Stock Scam of 1992 involving Harshad Mehta. I became one of the most unfortunate victims with a cumulative loss of seventy lakhs. As an honest person who only had legitimate earnings, the loss was much higher than the value of all my earnings and inheritance. This shocking situation had shaken my equilibrium to such an extent that even stray thoughts of committing suicide came to my mind. But absolute will power and determination and commitments to my family, friends and business associates, kept me out of any drastic action. However, I was so upset that I was unable to do any productive work and was simply seated in my posh office, thinking of the pathetic situation in which I was, finding no way out.
 
It was then that a good friend of mine, Mr P G Vijayan, came to my office and said: "You are not the same efficient and dynamic person I knew. Something is wrong with you now." I told him about the Stock Exchange loss which had ruined my life. He then advised me to attend a retreat at Muringoor and said:"You will get a solution to your problems after that." I felt it was a silly suggestion and told him that I did not want to keep off my office for one full week. Then Vijayan said that I was attending the office due to God's grace. Otherwise, an illness, for example, could have got me hospitalised for many weeks. This was a thought-provoking remark and I decided straight away to attend a one-week retreat at Muringoor. At Muringoor, by the grace of God, I felt very comfortable, physically and mentally and realised that Jesus wanted me to get closer to him through all that happened to me, apparently as a misfortune.
 
During the counselling session, the counsellor, a totally strange person, told me:"You are a well-educated, highly-placed and respected person. But now you feel you are nothing. This situation has been caused to you by Jesus, to let you know that, in spite of all your personal attributes, you will be rendered a big zero without the help of almighty God. Do not rely on your abilities alone, which were given to you by God, but rely on God fully, submit yourself totally to God and only then will you be able use your abilities for your prosperity."
 
On that day, I surrendered myself wholly to almighty God and prayed for help to utilise my God-given ability to overcome my misfortune. Then I regained my self-confidence and determination and was able to take decisions. I sold my stock exchange membership and paid some urgent debts. I got a new consultancy assignment and went abroad for a short while. And now I have got an opportunity to work overseas for as long as I want and if God wills, I can earn more than what I lost.
 
In all the events, from the date I completed the retreat at Muringoor, till today while I am writing this letter from a city abroad, doing greater business and enjoying more happiness than what I would ever have had in India, I felt that Jesus was making me take every step so that I could do more than I had ever attempted in my life.
 
However, I still have some debts and unfulfilled commitments and tasks in India. But I am sure, almighty God will continue to hear my prayers and help me settle my problems as per his plan.
  "We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose" (Rom 8:28)  

P Joseph Mathew,

1/2a, Sydney Street, Takapune,

Auchland 1309, New Zealand

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