Are you going through something difficult right now, experiencing pain or disappointment from a situation that just doesn't seem fair? In this world, so many things are not right, and you don't have to look far to find some kind of injustice.
But one of the things I love most about God is that He's a God of justice - He makes wrong things right. I really love 1 Peter 2:23, which says that when Jesus was "reviled and insulted, He did not revile or insult in return; while suffering, He made no threats [of vengeance], but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges fairly." (AMP)
When we're being mistreated or enduring something difficult, it's easy to want to take matters into our own hands. However, the best thing we can do is say, "God, I'm going to trust You to be my vindicator." Many people are used to trusting God for things - for a raise, for better health, or for the next great thing they would like to happen in their lives. But God also wants us to trust Him through things - when we're experiencing difficulties or when life isn't working out the way we hoped it would. Trusting God allows us to enjoy our lives even when everything is not the way we want it to be.
For instance, maybe you've worked harder than ever at your job but still haven't received a promotion or a pay raise. Maybe a coworker who doesn't seem to work as hard as yougets the promotion you wanted. I know what this is like. Years ago when this happened to me, I immediately thought, It's not fair!
And I had a choice to make:I could choose to be angry and bitter toward the people involved and try to vindicate myself,or I could choose to trust God to make wrong things right, knowing that Hecould pay me back for any injustice done to me.
I want you to know I understand what it's like to have to make this choice, and that it is never easy. For the first 23 years of my life, I endured a lot of painful experiences that left me bitter, resentful, and constantly blaming other people.
As a child, I was sexually abused by my father. My mother eventually found out, but fear prevented her from confronting the issue, so the abuse went on for years. When I turned eighteen, I married the first man who came along because I was convinced no other man would ever want me. But this only led to more pain. We ended up divorced after I discovered he was cheating on me with other women and was involved in criminal activities.
When we're hurt or mistreated, it's easy to have an attitude that says, Someone owes me. I sure did. For years, I tried to "collect" from people who had no way of paying me back. Because a man (my father) hurt me, I found myself trying to make other men pay. And it affected every area of my life in a destructive way.
Thankfully, as I began to read and study God's Word, I discovered that God wants to be our vindicator, and He can restore everything we've lost through injustices we've experienced.
Isaiah 61:7-8 (NIV) says, "Instead of your shame you will receive a double portion, and instead of disgrace you will rejoice in your inheritance. And so you will inherit a double portion in your land, and everlasting joy will be yours. For I, the Lord, love justice...." This is basically saying if we will trust God, He will give us double for our trouble!
Through Scriptures like this, God helped me understand that no person can ever pay me back for what I went through - but He can. When I finally began trusting God to be my vindicator - when I got my eyes off of everyone else and focused on Him - it was truly amazing what He began to do in my life.
God wants to do the same thing for you!
If someone mistreats you, refuse to stay mad at them and trust God to bring justice into your life. I can promise you this: If you'll stop trying so hard to get justice for yourself - to manipulate people and situations to get "what you deserve" - you'll be amazed at what God will do for you as you place all of your trust in Him.
So, whatever's going on in your life today - whatever you've endured and whatever doesn't seem fair - I want you to know that you're not invisible to God. He sees you, He knows exactly how much you can take, and He will deliver you at just the right time. He won't be a moment too late!
Remember, God is the only One Who can truly vindicate you. He is the God of justice, and He can take your wrong thing and make it right!
For more on this topic, order Joyce'stwo-CD setThe Joy of Trusting God.You can also contact us to receive our free magazine, Enjoying Everyday Life, by calling (800) 727-9673 or visiting www.joycemeyer.org.
Joyce Meyer is a New York Times bestselling author and founder of Joyce Meyer Ministries, Inc. She has authored more than 100 books, including Battlefield of the Mind and Unshakeable Trust: Find the Joy of Trusting God at All Times, in All Things (Hachette). She hosts the Enjoying Everyday Life radio and TV programs, which air on hundreds of stations worldwide. For more information, visit www.joycemeyer.org.
Please note: The views and opinions expressed throughout this publication and/or website are those of the respective authors and do not necessarily reflect those of Joyce Meyer Ministries.
