I was not treated fairly.

Confronting Injustice: Experiences of Unfair Treatment

Corrie ten Boom

Corrie was a remarkable Christian who exhibited unwavering faith and resilience in the face of injustice and adversity during World War II. As a member of the Dutch resistance, she, along with her family, provided refuge to Jews and others fleeing Nazi persecution. 

After being betrayed and reported to the Gestapo, they subsequently arrested Corrie and sent her to the Ravensbrück concentration camp. There, she endured unbearable suffering, witnessing the dehumanization and cruelty inflicted upon fellow prisoners. 

Despite the harsh conditions, Corrie remained steadfast in her faith, often offering hope and consolation to those around her. Her ability to forgive those who had wronged her and her enduring belief in the power of love and compassion, even amid the most harrowing circumstances, demonstrated her remarkable strength and resilience. 

After the war, Corrie dedicated her life to spreading a message of forgiveness, overcoming adversity, and the power of God’s love, affecting countless lives through her books, public speaking, and humanitarian work. 

Her ability to transform her personal experience of injustice into a robust advocacy for forgiveness and reconciliation is a testament to her extraordinary strength of character. Corrie’s life is an enduring example of resilience, forgiveness, and the ability to rise above the most egregious acts of cruelty to inspire hope and healing.

Unfair treatment

1. Being unfairly singled out or targeted.

2. Being subjected to bias or discrimination.

3. Being unfairly criticized or blamed for things beyond your control.

4. Enduring unjust consequences for actions or decisions.

5. Being the victim of false accusations or unfair judgments.

Bible examples of unfair treatment

Job is the first to come to mind for most of us.

God and Satan are conversing unbeknownst to Job. God brags Job will love Him no matter what. Then God allows Satan to destroy Job’s life, killing his children, taking his possessions, and causing horrible health issues. 

God blesses in the end, but can you imagine all the scars and grave sites in Job’s life?

Workers in the Vineyard

The landowner hires people to work from 12 hours to 1 hour in the same vineyard. He then pays the last to arrive at work, their salary first. He pays them the same amount he agreed on for those who worked 12 hours. 

Then, expecting to be paid super well, those who worked 12 hours got the same pay. 

The landowner said I can do what I want with my money. What is it to you if I want to be good to the other guy?

Naboth

Naboth is one of my favorite horrible stories. All Naboth does in the story is do the right thing. Then, someone falsely accuses him. No one stands with him. The wicked king murders him and his family, and confiscates his land.

God did nothing but let it happen. Just never seems quite fair.

Feelings caused by unfair treatment

1. The feeling of being disregarded and disrespected.

2. Sense of frustration and anger 

3. The feeling of powerlessness and lack of control.

4. Disappointment and disillusionment.

5. Perception of biased treatment or discrimination.

6. The feeling of betrayal by someone or an institution.

7. Loss of trust or faith in others.

8. Emotional distress and mental anguish.

9. Impact on self-esteem and confidence.

10. Loss of opportunity or advancement because of unfair treatment.

Great quotes about being treated unfairly

“The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.” Edmund Burke

“The world is a dangerous place to live; not because of the people who are evil, but because of the people who don’t do anything about it.” Albert Einstein

“In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends.” Martin Luther King Jr.

Biblically, what are we to do

Take no revenge

Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. Romans 12:19

Trust that God will work everything out for good.

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28:

Give your hurts to the Lord. 

Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee: He shall never suffer the righteous to be moved. Psalm 55:22 

Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. 1 Peter 5:7

Stay encouraged in the Lord. 

Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest. Joshua 1:9

Turn the other cheek.

But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also. Matthew 5:39

Strategies to take when treated unfairly

1. Follow the Biblical advice you just read in the verses above

2. Learn to trust God that no matter what is happening, He is using it to build you into the very image of Christ

3. Never respond in kind. They accuse you, but you are silent. They abandon you, but you don’t leave. 

4. Go the second mile. Put in extra effort, be forgiving, and be prepared to endure mistreatment.

5. Love and forgive all because that is what your Father does.

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