Saturday, January 4, 2025

It's Not Fair

"One of you might have to suffer even when you have done nothing wrong. If you think of God and bear the pain, this pleases God. But if you are punished for doing wrong, there is no reason to praise you for bearing that punishment. But if you suffer for doing good and you are patient, this pleases God. This is what you were chosen to do. Christ gave you an example to follow. He suffered for you. So you should do the same as he did:
'He never sinned, and he never told a lie.'
People insulted him, but he did not insult them back. He suffered, but he did not threaten anyone. No, he let God take care of him. God is the one who judges rightly."
1 Peter 2:19-23 ERV

Have you ever gotten in trouble for something you didn't do? Have you ever felt as though you were in an interminable season of life where everything or someone was against you and none of it was because of something you did? How did you handle it? Did you want revenge or were you able to forgive and turn it over to God?

The Bible tells us that whoever angers us controls us, which is a terrifying thought. Better to forgive so that we can be forgiven, too. We must learn to live and love like Jesus who cried out from the Cross, "Forgive them, Father..." Talk about 'not fair'.
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An excerpt from the Encouraging Word Bible reads,
"Vengeance fixes your attention at life’s ugliest moments. Score-settling freezes your stare at cruel events in your past. Is this where you want to look? Will rehearsing and reliving your hurts make you a better person? By no means. It will destroy you."

"Folks, if you’re expecting to be given a fair shake in your life, forget it! You won’t be. You’re going to face illness. And your body is going to wear out. You may be the victim of someone else’s mistake. But you can get through those tough times if you prepare your heart now, living to know and serve the Savior who loves you and died so that you might have an eternal home free of pain and sorrow.

"The struggles that you’re going through now—don’t discard them. Listen to God as He teaches you so that you can teach others. You see, a time of suffering teaches us something we never knew before and may prepare us for a time of counsel that we will give someone years from now...

"Trying to avoid suffering in this life is like trying to avoid breathing. It can’t be done. As a matter of fact, the Bible says that those who desire to live a godly lifestyle will suffer. Ask God how your suffering can bring you closer to Him. Then thank Him that He is a good God no matter what you’re going through."
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Prayer:

Father,
            We don't always understand trials and tribulations, but humbly we ask, as we forgive and turn them over to You, please help us to embrace what You would have us learn from it. We want to be a reflection of Your Light and love in this world. Let our only thoughts of fair be with regard to countenance. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

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