If you know your Bible, then you know that our God is a Rewarder. (Hebrews 11:6) He has also vowed to turn every bad thing into something good for those who love Him and are living their lives for Him. (Romans 8:28) So when the Lord allows pain, loss, or hardship to touch our lives, we can be sure that He has a good purpose for it, and that we will profit from it somehow - as long as we keep our trust in Him and His promises.

Sometimes, the Lord will allow others to treat us unfairly, to lie about us, or to even curse us. The Scriptures warn us that, "Anyone who wants to live all out for Christ is in for a lot of trouble; there's no getting around it." (2 Timothy 3:12 MSG) So we shouldn't be too surprised when we suffer persecution for our faith in Christ.

But there is hope. And there is a verse in the Bible - words spoken by King David in a time of deep trouble - that never fails to comfort me. "It may be that the Lord will SEE my DISTRESS and REPAY ME WITH GOOD for the cursing I am receiving today." (2 Samuel 16:12 NIV) When you and I suffer distress at the hands of others - whether they meant to hurt us or not - our God is committed to repaying us with good that will more than make up for our pain and humiliation.

So take heart, dear one. When you suffer at the hands of others, you can bet that you have some serious rewards coming. Believe it. Give thanks for it. And praise Him for the good that He's bringing out of your heartache right now!

Prayer: Lord, I believe that You are a Rewarder, and that You cause all things to work together for my good, even painful things. Help me to turn to You first for comfort, healing, and strength whenever I am hurting. Show me how to view all of my negative experiences from Your perspective, and to respond to them according to Your wisdom and grace. Thank You that Your eyes are upon me in every distressing situation, and You will "repay me with good" every single time!