When Life Isn’t Fair
Every kid knows what it feels like to be treated unfairly.
The referee makes a call against your team. A friend overlooks you when picking teams. A teacher seems to have it out for you. And then there’s the situation where you do the right thing, but you still get in trouble anyway. Adults know that feeling too. Peter has something to say that can address those moments, and he uses the opportunity to point us to Jesus.
Let’s look at what he says.
Bible Focus
“Servants, be subject to your masters with all respect, not only to the good and gentle but also to the unjust. For this is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly. For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God.
For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.”
Devotional Thoughts
Peter is writing to household servants, most likely new converts to following Jesus, who had no choice about their situation. Some were being treated harshly by people with power over them. Slavery is never okay, but Peter wrote in the time and culture he lived in. And his instruction is to endure it with their eyes fixed on God. Peter knows that’s not easy to hear.
But he doesn’t leave them there.
He points them to Jesus. When life was unfair to Jesus, and it was profoundly unfair, he didn’t retaliate or threaten. He trusted God. He kept doing what was right even when it cost him everything. Peter says that is the example we are called to follow.
This hits close to home for all of us. When someone treats you badly and you choose not to fight back, not to get even, not to say the thing you’re tempted to say, that is actually one of the most Christlike things you can do.
Peter closes with one of the most beautiful pictures of Jesus in the whole letter. Jesus willingly took our sins so we could be made whole. We were wandering sheep who had no idea where we were going, and Jesus came looking for us. He is our Shepherd.
And this is who we are called to follow when life gets difficult and unfair.
Family Questions
These questions are meant to start a real conversation. Feel free to reword them for younger kids or let older ones sit with the harder ones a little longer.
Can you think of a time when you were treated unfairly? What did you want to do, and what did you actually do?
Peter says Jesus didn’t fight back when people treated him badly. Why do you think he responded that way?
What does it mean that Jesus is our Shepherd? How does that change the way we face hard things?
Family Prayer
Father, thank You for sending Jesus to show us how to face hard things with grace. Thank You that he bore our sins and brought us back to himself when we were lost. Help our family follow in his steps when life feels unfair. Remind us that we belong to a good Shepherd who never lets us go. In Jesus’ name, amen.
This Week’s Challenge
This week, when something feels unfair, pause before you react. Pray together as a family and ask Jesus to help you respond the way he would.
Explore More 1 Peter Devotions
Honor Everyone | 1 Peter 2:13–17 | 5-Minute Family Devotions
Living Like You Belong | 1 Peter 2:9–12 | 5-Minute Family Devotions
Jesus is the Cornerstone | 1 Peter 2:4–8 | 5-Minute Family Devotions
Family Discipleship Recommendations
Looking for more ways to disciple your family? Explore Bible studies, devotionals, and practical tools here: Family Resources at Discipleship Cliff
Leave a Reply