Written by Chuck Swindoll, these encouraging devotional thoughts are published seven days per week.
Read 1 Peter 3:12
The eyes of the LORD watch over those who do right,And his ears are open to their prayers.But the LORD turns his face against those who do evil. (1 Peter 3:12)
Our response to unfairness, as with all other issues, is based on our perspective—the particular vantage point from which we look at life. Basically, in this case, we have two perspectives to choose from: the human perspective or the divine.
The Human Perspective
Read Hebrews 5:12–14
You have been believers so long now that you ought to be teaching others. Instead, you need someone to teach you again the basic things about God’s word. You are like babies who need milk and cannot eat solid food. For someone who lives on milk is still an infant and doesn’t know how to do what is right. Solid food is for those who are mature, who through training have the skill to recognize the difference between right and wrong. (Hebrews 5:12–14)
Read 2 Corinthians 13:11; 1 Peter 3:8–12
Be joyful. Grow to maturity. Encourage each other. Live in harmony and peace. Then the God of love and peace will be with you. (2 Corinthians 13:11)
Look at 1 Peter 3:8–12, and you’ll find a checklist for spiritual maturity. It helps us evaluate how we’re doing on this pilgrimage from earth to heaven.
Read 1 Peter 3:8–9
All of you should be of one mind. Sympathize with each other. Love each other as brothers and sisters. Be tenderhearted, and keep a humble attitude. Don’t repay evil for evil. Don’t retaliate with insults when people insult you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God has called you to do, and he will grant you his blessing. (1 Peter 3:8–9)
Read 1 Peter 2:24–25
He personally carried our sins in his body on the cross so that we can be dead to sin and live for what is right. By his wounds you are healed.Once you were like sheep who wandered away.But now you have turned to your Shepherd,The Guardian of your souls.(1 Peter 2:24–25)
Read 1 Peter 2:18–19, 20, 21
For God called you to do good, even if it means suffering, just as Christ suffered for you. He is your example, and you must follow in his steps. (1 Peter 2:21)
You who are slaves must submit to your masters with all respect. Do what they tell you—not only if they are kind and reasonable, but even if they are cruel. For God is pleased when, conscious of his will, you patiently endure unjust treatment. (1 Peter 2:18–19)
Read Romans 12:9
Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. (Romans 12:9)
It’s been my observation that when we’re treated unfairly, we respond with three common, knee-jerk reactions.
Read 1 Peter 2:9, 10
But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light. (1 Peter 2:9)
Read Colossians 1:13–14
For he has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of his dear Son, who purchased our freedom and forgave our sins. (Colossians 1:13–14)
Read Philippians 2:3–4; 1 Peter 1:1, 6–7, 22–23
Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too. (Philippians 2:3–4)
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