Is it possible to do the right thing and end the suffering?
Doing the right thing isn’t always as easy as it sounds. Morally speaking, most people know what is right and wrong, but sometimes doing what is right hurts innocent people or yourself. For example, if your boss or coworker is unethical or corrupt, speaking up may help others but hurt you.
When you’re in a horrible situation, your first thought is usually to get out of it as soon as possible. This is especially true if you caused the problem. When experiencing difficulty to no fault of your own, it’s still natural to want it to stop. But is it possible to do the right thing and end the suffering?
What if your turbulence is pushback from doing the right thing when everyone else is against doing the right thing? Worse, what if they are willfully doing the wrong thing for self-serving, corrupt, or malicious reasons? Do you keep fighting? Should you give in? Can you walk away?
Sometimes the answer is deeper than your immediate comfort or the possible consequences for continuing the fight. Oftentimes, your choice will have a far broader reach than just you. Perhaps people who can’t fight, need you to fight for them.
Do not conform
Romans 12:2 (NIV) says, “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will.” This Scripture clearly tells us that we’re not to go along with immoral and evil acts of the world. And when we choose to focus on God’s good, pleasing and perfect will, our minds are renewed with Godly thinking instead of worldly thinking. This renewed thinking will help us know when something is wrong, but then, what do we do about it?
We are told to ask for wisdom in James 1:5, “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.” (NIV). This wisdom is to help us discern our next steps, but only for God’s purpose, not our own selfish desires. This means, when someone wrongs you, don’t ask for wisdom to get revenge.
Trials of many kinds
If the wisdom you seek includes, “Why is this happening to me,” just back up to James 1:2-4, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” Notice the Scripture says, ‘whenever’ you face trials, not, ‘if.’
Following God and choosing to do the right thing means trials are a given, so learn from them. You’ll never cross the finish line if you don’t persevere and keep running through the shin splints and side cramps. Even if you cross that finish line last, you can count it as a successful race, because you completed it while others watched or ignored it altogether.
Sold into slavery
In the Bible, Joseph’s brothers sold him into slavery because they were jealous of him. Joseph’s brothers told their father a wild animal killed Joseph. In slavery, Joseph was falsely accused of trying to seduce his boss’s wife, and thrown in jail (Genesis 37 and 39). That’s a lot of persecution for a righteous person.
Through all of Joseph’s suffering, God never left him. Joseph rose from imprisoned slave to second-in-command under Pharaoh. Joseph even got the chance to get revenge on his brothers when they sought food in Egypt. He played a trick on them to amplify their guilt for selling him into slavery two decades earlier. But then, he quickly chose to forgive and reconcile with his brothers (Genesis 42-47). Joseph endured a great deal of suffering, but God used it for his good. This put him in a position to save his family and all of Egypt from a 7-year famine.
Continue trusting God
Scripture tells us to continue trusting God when nothing makes sense and we feel abandoned among our enemies. “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight” (Proverbs 3:5-6, NIV). He WILL make everything work out for your good, although it may not be what you thought or wanted. Even though our kids want candy, we give them fruits and vegetables because healthy eating will serve them better.
In whatever struggle you encounter for doing the right thing, know it will be worth it in the end. “Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, NIV). Regardless of how bad the situation becomes, have faith that God is still in control, and your reward will eventually come to fruition.
People of the world tend to take the good you do and use it for their own gain. They lie, cheat, and manipulate, then discard you like yesterday’s trash. “They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, with a continual lust for more” (Ephesians 4:18-19, NIV).
Blessed for persevering in doing the right thing
Whatever you do for God, he will bless you. “Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him” (James 1:12, NIV). For this reason, if you lose the fight in man’s eyes, know that God sees you as a winner, and the ordeal will make you stronger and wiser. “…we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us” (Romans 5:3-5 NIV).
Do what is right, even when it costs you friends, your job, worldly opportunities, etc. Stand up for what is right, even when you stand alone, because it’s better than submitting to the dark side. “Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain” (1 Corinthians 15:45, NIV). Don’t worry about people taking your ideas, work, opportunities, or preventing you from receiving what you deserve. God is not outdone. Anything he has for you is better than anything you can get on your own.
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