How to Respond to Injustice

 I don't know about you, but there are times on this journey when I have to take long showers and I pray over and over again, Lord Jesus help me to think Your thoughts, help me to think Your thoughts, help me to think Your thoughts because what I am thinking right now... Help me think Your thoughts.  I have been struggling to complete this post for awhile as I wrestle with demonstrating humility in the face of injustice and mistreatment. I am so glad we are on this journey together.

Called to be imitators of God, we are challenged by the example Christ left for us to live with humility. Previously  we looked at the life of Christ as He demonstrated His humility through His submission to the Father, and His service to others. This time we look to Him as He shows us His humility through His suffering.  I know that last thing we want to hear is that in order to be like Christ we must suffer.  

While we may not want to hear it, suffering is part of the life of the believer. Not only has Christ left us His example, but He has called us to suffer: For even to this were you called (inseparable from your vocation).  For Christ also suffered for you, leaving you (His personal) example, so that you should follow in His footsteps (I Pet 2:21- Amp).

So here is Christ who was guilty of no sin, neither was deceit (guile) ever found on His lips. When He was reviled and insulted, He did not revile or offer insult in return;  (when) He was abused and suffered, He made no threats (of vengeance); but He trusted (Himself and everything) to Him Who judges fairly (I Pet 2:22-23, Amp).
And here we are being asked to follow His example of humility, to accept that we have  been called to suffer insults and mistreatment and yet, not lash back.  Can you remember the last time you allowed that to happen to you?  Wrapping our minds around the thought of this is difficult,  and putting this kind of humility into practice is unfathomable. We are not naturally wired to suffer injustice or mistreatment without seeking recourse and every possible remedy for justice at our disposal, including revenge. 

​We will never ever be able to demonstrate or even have the desire to demonstrate this kind of humility in our own strength. For certain, Divine intervention is required: For it is God which worketh in you both to will and do of His good pleasure - Phil 2:13.   How can we get from where we are to the place where we are willing to follow the Lord's example of humility?  We must pray. We must pray: Heavenly Father help us to accept that suffering injustice and mistreatment at times is part of our calling. And help us to,  like Jesus, trust you enough when we are confronted by it to know You will judge everything fairly. Help us Lord to remember that we don't have the right to exact vengeance because vengeance belongs to You (Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath; for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay , saith the Lord -Rom 12:19.) Help us Lord, to say help me Jesus when we are insulted and mistreated so that we don't hurl insults back and go into attack mode, but we demonstrate humility instead. Help us Lord for we are weak so be our strength. In Jesus Name, amen. 

Finally, as we  grapple with the thought of suffering injustice and being insulted without striking back, we must consider this: if we demand justice the best we can hope for is to receive what is fair. But if we, instead of demanding justice demonstrate humility and depend upon our God to judge the situation, we will not receive what is fair; but rather, grace which is exceeding and abundantly above all that we ask or think (But He giveth more grace. Wherefore He saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble - James 4:6; Now unto Him who is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think according to the power that worketh in us - Eph 3:20).   Justice gives us what is fair, humility gives us abundant grace. So the question we must ask ourselves is do we want what is fair or abundant favor?

begging God to help me think His thoughts,
Diane

p.s.  This week let's work on praying " help me Jesus",  before I respond when I feel I am treated unfairly or being attacked.#HelpmethinkYourthoughts. #Justicegetswhatsfair. #Humilitygetsabundantgrace.#Favoroverfair 

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