I have been wronged!  It was unfair!  I was misunderstood and misjudged! 

     That is really hard to take, especially when the offender is a Christian brother or sister.  I have to remind myself that God is my salvation and my refuge.  It is He that I trust to protect me.  The world is full of wrongdoing.  Friends may be disloyal.  My brothers and sisters in Christ can let me down and even do hurtful things to me. 

     At those times I must remember two things:

     First, the actions of the offending person is God's responsibility, not mine.  God will correct him or her in His own time.  I should pray for that person, that their error will not be used by Satan to hurt the witness of Christ.  The world is watching.  When I vent anger and frustration about another person, especially another Christian, I am giving ammunition to the enemy.

     Second, I need to realize and accept that God is in control.  The wrong I suffered was allowed by God.  (Remember Joseph?) I must ask God to help me forgive that person, and be careful that I do not fall into the trap of sin.  If I am not careful, I will harbor anger against that person, or I may indulge in pride by feeling sorry for myself and thinking how much better I am than them.

     The only time I should "stand and fight" is in defense of the truth and the gospel, and even then with a spirit of humbleness and love.  I should never lash back in defense of my pride.  Jesus did not lash back at those who mocked and beat Him (Matthew 26:52-54).  Stephen, even as he was dying, left the outcome to the Lord (Acts 7:59-60).  He forgave and prayed for his enemies and left a lasting witness for the Lord.

     As much as possible, God wants Christians to live in peace with the world and in unity in the church.  I must have a loving spirit, forgiving others when they fail as I want to be forgiven.  I must always keep my eyes on Jesus, not on other believers.  I should do better than the world, and repay evil with good (Romans 12:1-2).