19 For it is commendable if someone bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because they are conscious of God. 20 But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. 21 To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.

22 “He committed no sin,
and no deceit was found in his mouth.”

1 Peter 2:19-22

I guess this is the story of the Christian life: lose your life to gain it, suffering when it’s not your fault, suffering for doing good.

Why should it surprise us if we’re hated for what we stand for – or what others think we stand for? Life is completely unfair in that way.

Know this, though, that many millions have gone before us have had to endure far worse sufferings. Not to minimize your sufferings, but we are not alone in our sufferings. Just like that cloud of witnesses in Hebrews 12, so there is a great cloud of sufferers, and often they are one and the same.

Know also that our Lord suffered on our behalf. He knows the pain firsthand. He knows the heartbreak and the unfairness of it all.