When we suffer at the hands of others, our first thought is not to relate it to God watching over us. Our reactions are more apt to be anger and reprisal. We want to fight back, and many times that may be what we need to do. But there are times when fighting back will not accomplish anything but stir up more trouble.
At those times we need to remind ourselves that Jesus suffered to save some of the very people who were putting him to death. He suffered for us when we did not deserve to be saved.
God knows all things. He will accomplish eternal things through the things we suffer, both in us and for us and, possible, for the one who is persecuting us.
