Suffering in the Right

1 Peter 3:17 says "It is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil." It can be incredibly difficult to suffer wrongfully. Wrongful suffering can take many forms-not just persecution or vindictiveness. It can take many common forms, often involving people you love and who love you.

For example, a friend could blame you for something in your friendship that is not your fault, and which you can clearly see is in fact their fault. You may be right about that, but if they don't respond to you pointing that out in a gentle and non-accusatory way, the thing to do isn't continuing to insist that you are right. More than likely, the godly response is to let the issue drop-even if the other person still thinks you are in the wrong.

This is especially hard for me to do, since one of the things I hate worst is being wrongfully accused and having people think things are true of me that aren't. It's hard for me to let it go when someone (especially someone I care about and have a strong relationship with) thinks I'm wrong and I know I'm not. But I know from experience that arguing the point is likely to lead to unnecessary strife, and even if I eventually prove my point the other person probably won't think any the better of me than they did in the first place.

Two minor points should be clarified. First, letting matters go isn't always the correct response. Major issues probably ought to be cleared up before serious misunderstandings develop. Second, it is possible that you will realize you WERE in the wrong all along. If that's the case, you've avoided looking foolish by letting the matter go.