How Should Christians Handle Mistreatment?

How should Christians handle mistreatment?  You will be mistreated in life.  Some of you feel mistreated by the government right now for overstepping its bounds and unnecessarily crashing the economy.  Christians are not immune from unjust suffering, but we are called to respond differently.
20 For what credit is there if when you do wrong and are beaten, you endure it? But when you do what is good and suffer, if you endure it, this brings favor with God. 21 For you were called to this, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. 22 He did not commit sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth; 23 when he was insulted, he did not insult in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten but entrusted himself to the one who judges justly.  1 Peter 2:20-23
Christians should handle mistreatment with endurance.  You were called to this (v. 21).  The word "endure" literally means to remain under.  Christians are called to remain Christlike under the pressure and pain of unjust suffering.

What does this look like in real life?  Christ is the example.  How did He handle mistreatment?  
  1. He did not commit sin.  He did not turn to sin for comfort, or to shorten the duration of His suffering.
  2. No deceit was found in His mouth.  He did not resort to dishonesty to get out of trouble.
  3. When he was insulted, he did not insult in return.  He did not say mean things to or about others, even after they insulted Him.
  4. He did not threaten.  He did not physically hurt His abusers, or even threaten to hurt them.  
  5. He entrusted Himself to the Father.  He trusted God to take care of Him; to work all things together for His good and God's glory.  
Do you need to adjust your attitude toward mistreatment?  There will always be mean people.  This will not be the last time that the government abuses its power.  But Christians are called to respond with endurance -- following in the steps of Jesus.  

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