For God is pleased when, conscious of his will, you patiently endure unjust treatment.
Unjust suffering! Such a thing doesn’t seem fair or appropriate…and it probably isn’t. Yet we have many brothers and sisters bearing up under pain and unjust suffering because of their commitment and loyalty to the only True God and to His Son, Jesus Christ. Wouldn’t it be incredible if those who are not touched by terrible persecution or hardship would begin each day praying for those in our spiritual family who do face hardship, persecution, suffering, and mistreatment? It is commendable if someone bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because they are conscious of God. But don’t confuse this for when you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure your punishment for your wrongdoing. But, if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. God takes note of our suffering, and he will compensate us for it. Unjust suffering is nothing new, and should not be too much of a surprise. “To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. ‘He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.’ When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly.” Jesus shows us that if we suffer unjustly, we should not retaliate or make threats. Rather, we are to trust in God. However, the example Jesus set is also that when other people are suffering, we should try to do something about it. Our sins were placed on Jesus, and our mortal wounds were healed by his unjust suffering. The purpose was that we would turn away from sin and live in a right way. We were once cut off from God by our sins. But due to his mercy, we have been restored. That was the healing that we needed most of all. It is difficult for us to overlook mistreatment and unfairness, but if it brings glory to God, then may God give us the ability to act properly in such instances. Being magnanimous in the face of obvious wrong treatment isn’t easy. May His divine hand be there to guide us to act in a way He expects of us.
Spiritual Steve 