the Echoes of Past Hurts

 

Discipleship Homework and the Echoes of Past Hurts: Finding Solace in 1 Peter

Good morning, everyone! Today, as I sit down to work on my discipleship homework here in Shreveport, Louisiana, my heart feels a little heavier than usual. The passages I'm reflecting on from 1 Peter, specifically 2:21-23 and 3:8-9, offer a powerful vision of how we, as followers of Christ, should navigate suffering and interact with one another. But as I read them, the echoes of past hurts and disappointments resurface, making it a bit challenging to fully embrace the ideal they present.

Let's look at these passages. First, 1 Peter 2:21-23 in the New International Version reminds us of Christ's example:

To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. “He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.” When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly.  

Then, 1 Peter 3:8-9 continues with instructions for our interactions:

Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble. Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.   

These are powerful words, painting a picture of Christ's patient endurance in the face of injustice and calling us to a community marked by unity, empathy, love, and a refusal to retaliate. And that's what makes the contrast with past experiences so stark.

You see, like many of you, my journey hasn't been without its share of pain inflicted by others, even within the Christian community. There have been times of misunderstanding, lack of empathy, even hurtful words and actions that have left lasting scars. It's in these moments, when I read about Christ's non-retaliation and our call to bless those who harm us, that a part of me wonders, "Why wasn't this my experience then?" It can feel like a heavy weight to consider following in the steps of someone who endured such unjust suffering without lashing out, especially when I remember times I felt the urge to retaliate myself.

The call to "be like-minded" and "love one another" can feel like a distant dream when you've experienced deep division and conflict. The encouragement to "be sympathetic" can sting when you remember times you felt completely unseen and unheard in your pain. The command to "not repay evil with evil" can be a heavy weight when you've felt betrayed or unloved by those you expected to show Christ's love. The plea to "be compassionate and humble" can bring up memories of harsh judgment and a lack of grace.

It's in this space, this intersection of God's ideal and our often-broken reality, that I find myself today. And I suspect I'm not alone. Many of us carry these invisible wounds, these memories that make certain biblical exhortations feel more like a challenge than a comfort.

So, as I continue my discipleship homework and wrestle with these beautiful yet sometimes difficult verses, I'm reminded that:

• Christ's example is paramount: Jesus, despite having every right to retaliate against the injustice he faced, chose to entrust himself to God's justice. This sets the ultimate standard for how we are called to respond to suffering.
• God's ideal is still the goal: Just because we haven't always experienced this perfect unity, love, and non-retaliation doesn't mean it's not what we should strive for. These verses serve as a constant reminder of the kind of community God desires for us and how we are to conduct ourselves in the face of wrongdoing.
• Healing takes time and grace: Past hurts don't disappear overnight. It's okay to acknowledge the pain and allow God to work healing in our hearts. Extending grace to ourselves and others is crucial.
• Being the change starts with me: While I can't rewrite the past, I can choose how I respond in the present and future. I can consciously strive to be more like-minded, sympathetic, loving, compassionate, and humble in my interactions, and to resist the urge to repay evil with evil, even when it's difficult.
• God's grace empowers us: We are not expected to achieve this on our own strength. It's through the power of the Holy Spirit that we can grow in these qualities and extend the love of Christ, even choosing blessing over retaliation, and trusting in God's ultimate justice as Jesus did.

The feelings of disappointment and the questions that arise when our experiences don't align with the ideal presented in 1 Peter are valid. It's natural to feel the weight of those past wounds and to even feel justified in wanting to retaliate. However, as followers of Christ, the example of Jesus and the call to unity, love, compassion, humility, and blessing remain our guiding principles. This isn't a call to instantly erase past pain, but rather an invitation to embark on a journey of healing and growth, intentionally striving towards these qualities with God's grace, trusting in His justice as Christ did. My discipleship homework today has reminded me that acknowledging the gap between where I am and where God calls me to be is the first step in allowing Him to work in my heart and empower me to live out the beautiful vision of community and Christ-like response found in 1 Peter.

I'd love to hear your thoughts as well. How do these passages resonate with you? Have you ever found it challenging to reconcile these biblical ideals with past hurts or the urge to retaliate? Let's encourage one another on this journey of discipleship and healing, right here in Shreveport and wherever you may be.