It was another perfect, sunny day in Pasadena, California, during the spring of 1986. As I raced out of my last morning class, hunger drove me straight to the dining hall. With my stomach growling, I burst through the doors, ready for lunch. But I stopped dead in my tracks when I saw him. My dad was standing there, waiting for me. My dad lived 8,000 miles away in Melbourne, Australia, so seeing him standing in the dining hall was a complete shock. All I could manage to say was, “Dad, what are you doing here?!”

At the time, my dad didn’t share the full story, but I pieced it together. He had been summoned by the Church Administration and was put on the first plane out of Melbourne to Pasadena, where he was going to be fired. It all seemed unfair to me, especially since his dismissal was based on an unsubstantiated false narrative. My dad didn’t fight back or try to defend himself. Instead, he left it in God’s hands, trusting that He would handle the situation. After all, my dad’s first allegiance was to the Head of the Church—Jesus Christ.

As it turned out, during his meeting, my dad was fired, then unfired, and ultimately reinstated. God fought his battle that day, and my dad said very little in his defense.

I share this story because the way my dad responded to what seemed like an unfair situation left a lasting impact on me. The key lesson I learned—and still carry with me today—is this:

Trust God to resolve issues in His way and in His timing, especially when we feel unjustly treated.

We often respond to perceived injustice by seeking our own resolution, insisting on justice on our terms, and sharing our frustrations with those who sympathize with us. In the church, this can quickly lead to division and conflict. It’s one of Satan’s favorite tricks—getting us to take sides. Once we do, the seeds of division can begin to grow.

Instead, we should reflect on the approach the Apostle Peter describes when we face what we believe to be unjust treatment. He writes:

"For what credit is it if, when you are beaten for your faults, you take it patiently? But when you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God. For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps:

Who committed no sin,

Nor was deceit found in His mouth;'

Who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously." (1 Peter 2:20-23, NKJV)

Did you notice what Jesus did when He was unjustly treated? He didn’t threaten or lash out. Instead, He committed Himself to God, the one who judges righteously. God alone can judge fairly and defend us—or those we feel have been treated unfairly.

As a 19-year-old, and understanding more about the situation that brought my dad to Pasadena, my initial response was that he should have stood up for himself loudly and clearly responded to those who had brought him in to be fired. Who were they to treat my dad like that? But little did I know that my dad had already placed his trust in God to work everything out according to His will. And that’s exactly what happened. It was a lesson I hold onto to this day.

So, let’s all strive to trust God in all situations, especially when we believe we are being unfairly treated.

May you all enjoy a peaceful Sabbath