It’s pretty easy to see that we will suffer for being identified with Jesus. Some people don’t like what Jesus taught and asked of His followers. But, the second phrase, “according to the will of God,” is a little tougher to handle. Our suffering is part of God’s plan.

We have no problem with a coach who designs a program that makes us stronger, wiser, more resilient and more engaged.

God is up to the same thing. So He asks us to entrust our souls, our very life and being, to Him. The word entrust was a banking term meaning to make a deposit for safe-keeping.

It is the safest action we can take. He is faithful; He keeps His promises. 

He is the Creator, therefore He has not only planned this suffering that will happen to us, but He has a purpose in it. Knowing that helps us to trust Him.

We know we are trusting Him by doing what is right in the midst of suffering. Doing right shows up in two ways —

First, we respond biblically. God calls us to love our enemies, to even bless them. That requires some intentionality. We don’t need to agree with them; we do need to treat them with respect. 

An NFL quarterback coach tagged his rookie QB with a dirty nickname. It was his way of mocking the rookie’s faith. The rookie not only treated his coach with respect, he won the starting role by mid-season. It silenced the coach.

Peter challenged believers with this: Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing (1 Peter 3:9).

Second, doing right is choosing to hold to what the Scriptures teach on controversial issues, whether or not it aligns with the culture. God is the one we are accountable to.

Hold the course, stand your ground, and do what Jesus would do.

Today’s devotional is one of five this week on being “Out of Step with the Culture” by Tom Petersburg.

Tom Petersburg, www.catapultministries.org