Suffering Quietly

One thing that is hard for many people to do, including myself, is hold our tongues and endure quietly an injustice. When we are wronged, we want justice. We want vindication for the wrongs that have been done to us. It can become difficult to not lash out when we do not receive our perceived just desserts. How many times have we willingly endured a wrong that has been done to us for the sake of God?    

“Servants, be submissive to your masters with all fear, not only to the good and gentle, but also to the harsh. For this is commendable, if because of conscience toward God one endures grief, suffering wrongfully. For what credit is it if, when you are beaten for your faults, you take it patiently? But when you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God” (1 Pet. 2:18-20).

So why would we want to suffer quietly when we are persecuted and/or treated unfairly? For one, God is “the Judge of all” (Heb. 12:23), and an impartial Judge (Rom. 2:11). Even our judicial system does not always come through, and as individuals we often fall short in the justice department when pursuing justice for ourselves. Secondly, two wrongs do not make a right. Meekness is a hard thing to maintain, but it influences others greatly for good. It is hard to restrain ourselves when we have the power to retaliate, but that is exactly what meekness is. We must remember that “even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you are blessed” (1 Pet. 3:14).