When Life is Unfair
“He did not retaliate when He was insulted, nor threaten revenge when He suffered. He left His case in the hands of God, who always judges fairly.” 1 Peter 2:23 (NLT)
How do you respond to mistreatment? It’s one of the greatest challenges in life. Whether it comes from people we know - and thought were friends - or from strangers, mistreatment is hard to take. Everything inside us wants to fight back. I don’t deserve this! This isn’t fair! The world says, “Don’t get mad. Get even!” “Revenge is sweet!” But, if you’ve ever responded like that, you have felt the hollowness it brings. That sweet taste of revenge soon turns bitter spoiling our whole outlook on life!
Injustice is the product of a fallen world. So, how can you do right when you’ve been done wrong? There’s really three ways to take mistreatment:
You can take it personally and play the victim or, even worse, accept mistreatment as though it was deserved. It’s been said, “If you’ve been kicked by a mule, consider the source.”
You can take it out on others. This way just continues the cycle of hurt and perpetuates the pain. Hurting people hurt people.
You can take it to the Lord.
Peter tells us what Jesus did and did not do when He suffered mistreatment.
He didn’t sin. “He committed no sin. …” 1 Peter 2:22a (NIV)
He didn’t retaliate. “He did not retaliate when He was insulted. …” 1 Peter 2:23a (NLT)
He didn’t even threaten revenge. “He made no threats.” 1 Peter 2:23b (NIV)
So, what did Jesus do? This part is crucial in understanding how to respond to mistreatment in our lives as well. He set a practical and effective example for us to follow.
He took it to His Father. “He (Jesus) left His case in the hands of God, who always judges fairly.” 1 Peter 2:23b (NLT) You can do something when you’ve been treated unfairly! You can take it to God and entrust yourself to Him, trusting that He will make it right one day! There is a payday someday! God will judge with justice.
Keep on doing what is right. Peter goes on to say, “So if you are suffering in a manner that pleases God, keep on doing what is right, and trust your lives to the God who created you, for He will never fail you.” 1 Peter 4:19 (NLT)
When we respond to mistreatment in our lives like this we are following in the footsteps of Jesus. In 1 Peter 2:19-21 (NIV) the Bible says, “For it is commendable if a man bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because he is conscious of God. But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in His steps.”