Susan (not her real name) gave me a glimpse at her life:

I was married for 32 years to a man who didn’t really know what love and commitment is.

I did everything I could to show him how to love your wife and children, but the longer we were married the worse he got. He had many girlfriends and was often unfaithful and “sorry” had to make me feel better. I became so discouraged at times, because I prayed a lot for him and felt that the Lord didn’t hear and answer my prayers.

Then one morning I was standing in my kitchen, planning to commit suicide, because I couldn’t take it anymore. My husband verbally abused us a lot and we couldn’t do anything right in his eyes.

The Lord asked me in an audible voice what I thought would become of my children and how would they feel if I committed suicide. That Sunday in church my Pastor said that the Lord had revealed to him that someone wanted to take her own life.

I went out for prayer and he told me the Lord was asking why I didn’t trust Him enough and know that He carried me through everything and would never leave me.

That day I decided I would hold on to Him no matter what.

The Lord carried me when my oldest daughter passed away.

He carried me when my spiritual mother and my mother passed away and through a very painful divorce that happened years later. I still loved him.

I still trust in the Lord through everything I do, because I know He has carried me when I couldn’t walk. He always answers our prayers even if He also says no, because He knows what’s best for us. Yes, God will protect.

It’s not easy to remain upright when someone keeps kicking you in the teeth. Then you pray hard, even if it feels as if your prayer doesn’t go much further than the ceiling. But still God comes to save, even if He has to come and speak to you in an audible voice.

It’s not just in marriages where people get kicked in the teeth like that. It also often happens at work. Many employees have to suffer under their bosses or superiors. Unannounced, injustice comes into your office. Then it’s not easy to let your light shine.

²⁰But if you’re treated badly for good behaviour and continue in spite of it to be a good servant, that is what counts with God.

It’s not an easy task. I don’t think the Lord expects us to allow others to walk all over us. We may stand up for injustice, but then we must do it in such a way that God is proud of us. Let us, like Susan, keep trusting in God for help through thick and thin.

Scripture
1 Peter 2:18-25

Reflection
Where do you experience injustice?
Where do you know about injustice being carried out?
What should you do?

Prayer
Father, it’s not easy to be treated badly and still behave well in return. Help me to trust You so much that it is indeed possible for me to do so. I pray this in Jesus’ Name. Amen.