“For it is better if God should will it so, that you suffer for doing what is right rather than for doing what is wrong.”      I Peter 3:17 (NASB)

So once again, I did it. I said yes when I wanted to say no. Honestly, I thought I was doing the right thing. Granting permission to a person when at other times I would not. Sure – I was thinking – I’ll be the nice one this time giving a little more consideration in this instance. As it turns out, the person used that one little decision to try to get more from me and when that didn’t work to her advantage she tried to use my words and actions against me.

My reaction to this situation was exactly what you might guess. It sounded something like this: “Well, I don’t know why I try… I just can’t be nice… People just don’t understand nice… I won’t ever do that again!” With that being said, of course I will do it again and probably find myself saying the same things. 

But, why? Why try?

As the saying goes: No good deed goes unpunished. Time and time again I hear people use that statement in the wake of trying to do something good or nice only to get a negative reaction as a result. There are articles, documentaries, made for TV movies, and daily news stories that tell the tale of a person’s suffering after doing the right thing.

So I ask again: Why try?

It is simple – because it is the right thing to do. Doing what is right matters. And as I tell my husband… nice matters. This can be difficult to see when someone tells the truth about a bad situation or something that is self-incriminating only to continue to suffer the same consequence as the other person or maybe something worse. Situations like that can make us reconsider: Is it really worth it? 

I still say, “Yes.” Telling the truth and being honest are the right things to do even if it comes with some suffering. 

I believe it is far better to suffer for doing what is right than to suffer and endure the internal pain of our own dishonest words, actions, or thoughts. In making personal and professional decisions, it is easier to step up and do the right thing and accept the possible consequences or criticisms than to go through the internal struggle and external punishment of doing what you know to be wrong in the eyes of God. For what truly matters is what is viewed through the eyes of God – not the eyes of man. 

The verse for today is a reminder to do what is right – even if you suffer. In our life, we will suffer. There is no question of that. The question becomes: Will you suffer for right or for wrong?

You choose.