Unjust Suffering
I remember when at the family table or sitting around in the living room sometimes our discussions would be about different areas of the Bible. My Mom studies the Bible hard, in fact, her Bible is so worn and tattered, some of the pages look translucent. My contributions to the conversations were pretty basic, however my brother who later became a pastor and my Mom used Christianese I was not at all familiar with. Many times they would end up debating on interpretation of the subject they were discussing.
Many years later, while studying on my own, my family had the basic teachings of the Bible spot on, but many of the doctrine they argued about was completely off base and primarily taken out of context. My brother’s belief system was closer to mine in his latter years, but there were still some things he would say that we did not see eye to eye on.
So back to 1 Peter 2 — unjust suffering. It took me awhile and a lot of prayer when I finally learned what Peter was referring to. Initially, I understood that I was supposed to submit to being mistreated by someone of authority even if they are being harsh and cruel. I had a problem with that, because I can tolerate some suffering and mistreatment, but when it is unrelenting, I will need to stand up for myself. But what Peter was talking about was suffering when you are doing things right for someone of authority. Then I reflected on the time I had a harsh employer who sometimes would throw me under the bus for his mistakes even though I had done what he had asked me to do. I was obedient to his directive and never questioned his authority. Believe me there was some unjust suffering inflicted on me many days. Then I reflected on my childhood and how sometimes I would be wrongly disciplined due to a false witness. I tried to plead my case, but then would have to submit to the painful punishment I would receive and then I would have to ask for forgiveness for something I didn’t do. I grew up being a pleaser, because I didn’t like conflict. I’ve shared in previous blogs about different sufferings I endured because the person inflicting them on me had authority over me. I didn’t realize it had a name until yesterday’s lesson. Unjust suffering. Thank God for His grace and mercy, the employer was replaced through attrition by three Godly employers up until I retired and the childhood sufferings ceased, but later resurfaced as emotional mistreatment -- which eventually was remedied through denying them the opportunity to continue.
All I can say is that God, in my retirement and being able to spend time in the word without the hurriedness of the daily responsibilities that used to consume my life, has certainly opened the eyes of my heart. I wonder if what I went through wasn’t for my sake, but as a lesson to others. I remember my Mom asking me one time how I could be so forgiving to people who have caused me some unjust suffering (she used different terminology). I responded to her that as a Christian, I’ve learned to be forgiving through Christ’s example. The Bible says to forgive 70 times 70 times. But now along with forgiveness, I’ve learned that I can deny access to those who have caused it. I prefer to surround myself with likeminded people who emulate love and encouragement.
There is a saying going around on Facebook, Apology Accepted, Forgiveness Given, Access Denied. Sometimes it doesn't even come with an apology, but practicing forgiveness for the unjust suffering inflicted on us is for ourselves, so it doesn't eat us alive through resentment -- however, I still believe in denying access for repeated offenders.
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