Now therefore there is utterly a fault among you, because ye go to law one with another. Why do ye not rather take wrong? why do ye not rather suffer yourselves to be defrauded? {1 Corinthians 6:7}
Do we always have to be right? What if we are wrong? What’s so bad about that? No one is perfect. It’s okay if we are wrong sometimes. It doesn’t mean we are stupid or dumb or that there’s something wrong with us. It means we are human.
Remember the Lord who suffered being wronged? Did He ever retaliate when the soldiers and the scribes and Pharisees mocked Him and belittled Him? So, who cares if it feels like we’ve been put down and belittled? It’s okay. We don’t have to defend ourselves all the time. We don’t have to be up in arms when we feel like someone came against us. Christ suffered wrongs. He put up with it for our sake, we can do the same for His sake. Because when we do His will He will defend us – He will stand up for us and comfort us. Whereas, if we stand up for ourselves and lash out, what comfort will we have from Christ? We will have none. He doesn’t justify evil. He will not justify us when we turn around and do wrongly. He will only justify us when we repent. So let them. Let them mock on and scorn on. It doesn’t hurt us any worse than they hurt themselves. Believe me, at the end of the day I’d rather be the one hurting than the one who hurt someone. I can justify myself all I like, but if I’m wrong I’m wrong. I could never find myself at peace in my heart until I ask for God’s forgiveness and forgive myself. Besides, only God can judge the heart. What if they did not intend evil? What if they did not intend to hurt me at all? If they intended evil then God will judge them, but if we return evil with evil how will God defend us? How can He comfort us? We will have no excuse. We will have no comfort. We will have no say. By learning to suffer wrongs we are learning to obey the commandment and teachings of Jesus Christ when He said,
Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. {Matthew 5:9}
Can you suffer wrongs? Yes you can, and yes I can. We can suffer wrongs. It’s okay to be wronged and not retaliate because we will have the comfort of Christ, and when God is for us who can be against us? Remember, He is a man of sorrow, acquainted with grief. {Isaiah 53:3} There is no sorrow, there is no hurt, there is no pain that He cannot see, feel, and understand. When we suffer wrongs for His sake we make Him proud. We make ourselves near and dear to Him. He comes to us because we identify with Him. We are one with Him. We can have the assurance and the boldness that He is for us and not against us. We can look to Him for our comfort and peace. We can look to Him and find a true Friend. The Bible tells us,
But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. {Isaiah 53:5}
Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: {1 Peter 5:6}
A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger. {Proverbs 15:1}
Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven. {Luke 6:37}
This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. {John 15:12}
Prayer
Oh Father, You are ever so good and kind. You are ever so merciful and loving. You are ever so faithful and true. How can we even begin to thank You for the goodness that You bestow upon us each and everyday? There is nothing we can ever do or say to repay You for all Your goodness and kindness upon us. I praise You Jesus. I love You Father. Thank You with all of my heart for Your love and grace and mercy upon us today. Thank You, Jesus.
Father, it is getting harder and harder to take wrongs these days. It seems to be the norm to lash out when someone offends us or hurts us. It is not fun at all when someone comes and attacks us or belittles us, or when it feels like we’re being put down and being put to shame. It just doesn’t feel right not to say anything back. Every ounce of our ego wants to fight back and retaliate. We want to punish and hurt back. Why can’t we? Why do we have to suffer wrongs? Please Father help us to know when to say something and when to hold our tongue. I know there is a time and season for everything. Give us the wisdom to know the difference. Help us to know what to do and say in every situation. Help us to remember You when we are being hurt and angry. Help us to talk to You and find Your comfort.
Only you know the heart. Help us Father to suffer wrongs. Help us not to lash out and hurt back. Help us to choose love and forgiveness and understanding instead. It is not easy. Please Jesus, help us. Help us to do what You desire for us to do and love one another. I pray this in Your most wonderful and precious name, Jesus. Thank You, Father. Amen.
