Responding to Mistreatment
Hardship has been a common experience in Christianity ever since the apostles first proclaimed the message of salvation. Though we may never face things like imprisonment or death for our beliefs, we’ve probably all felt the sting of rejection or ridicule. Peter wrote to a group of believers who were treated harshly because of their faith. His goal was to offer encouragement and a reminder to follow Jesus’ example. Though He was openly mocked, He never responded with anger. Instead, He patiently suffered in full submission to His Father, “entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously.” (1 Peter 2:21-23) Without this perspective, we could quickly descend into self-pity or angry resentment when we’re mistreated, but Peter reminds us that we’re blessed when we suffer for the sake of righteousness. A wise response to ill-treatment flows from an understanding of God’s ways. We can trust our Heavenly Father, knowing that He can work every situation for our good and His glory.
