Do you ever feel mistreated? Do you feel like the whole world is against you? Do you have a boss who seems to play favorites and you are not one of them? Are you in a situation right now where it feels like some form of authority figure is denying you what you believe you deserve?
We can say in no uncertain terms that this world is not fair. There are people in this world that take advantage of loopholes. We run across people who violate the law. We may have a boss who bends the rules to fit her or his own desires. We hear of people who take what they want with violence.
Jesus has experienced this as well. Don’t think so? Sure, we’ve heard that Jesus laid down His life for us willingly. Yet, we should not forget that it was taken violently by people who were used their authority to get their way, even if it meant breaking the law. Jesus was going up against people whose behavior was one of, “Do as I say, not as I do.”
When we are put in situations that are unfair, we can rest assured that Jesus understands. He knew that was going to happen when He told His followers to turn the other cheek and to go the extra mile. He knew ahead of time that we would face unfair circumstances.
Does this mean that we are to simply lay down and take it? Perhaps. I know, that’s a hard answer. It is situationally dependent. There will be situations when we can stand up for our rights, for what is right. There will also be situations when we just have to take it and trust that God will make it right in the end.
We can go through those tough situations when we trust God. We have the best example of all in Jesus. No, it’s not easy. Yet, we can do so in full confidence that God will take care of it. He has promised He will. It just may be at some point down the road that He does.
I pray we all trust God in those tough situations. I pray we turn over those unfair situations to God and ask Him to provide us the guidance we need. I pray we all listen for His guidance and follow it. Life isn’t fair. Trust God. Follow Jesus’ example. Listen for God’s guidance. Follow Him.
John 18:22-23 When Jesus said this, one of the officials nearby slapped him in the face. “Is this the way you answer the high priest?” he demanded.
“If I said something wrong,” Jesus replied, “testify as to what is wrong. But if I spoke the truth, why did you strike me?”
Marty Pressey 