If we have done the wrong thing, we naturally desire to make amends. But when we strive to do right and others blame us or our religion for what is wrong, how do we respond? The Bible tells us, "What glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God." I Pet. 2:20. This teaching precludes self-righteous reaction and impels Christly acts of love in ever larger service.
The Bible gives us wonderful examples of righteous people who turned misfortune into an opportunity for spiritual growth and service to others. Joseph, thrown into a pit by jealous brothers, sold into slavery, accused falsely of adultery, imprisoned, and then freed when he interpreted Pharaoh's dream, rose in governmental service eventually to help several nations. He forgivingly said to his brothers, ..it was not you that sent me hither, but God." Gen. 45:8. Daniel was put into a den of lions for worshiping God, but his innocence and his pure trust in God saved him. As a result, the king decreed that all in his domain were to "fear before the God of Daniel." Dan. 6:26. Three men were subjected to a "fiery furnace" for their religion. They were faithful to the one God, who protected them from the consuming flames, and they went forward to greater usefulness. See Dan., chap. 3.
Christ Jesus, serving mankind by serving God, constantly faced opposition based on ignorance or malice. When reviled, he blessed his enemies. His whole life manifested Christly compassion and goodness, yet he was subjected to crucifixion. In this ultimate maltreatment he continued to love, saying, "Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do." Luke 23:34. The resurrection followed, because nothing could keep such a loving, spiritually pure life in a tomb. The blessing for humanity has never been surpassed. We know, too, that Mary Baker Eddy faced and overcame formidable opposition as she faithfully followed Jesus' Christianity in discovering and sharing Christian Science, the Science of Love. Even so, her love for humanity was constant.
