Suffering is often unjust and unfair, but our calling is still to embrace it and to entrust ourselves to God in it. That is a generalization. There are, of course, exceptions. No one should submit to abusive treatment of any sort. But Jesus told us not to resist an evil person. "If anyone [insults you personally and] slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you" (Mt 5:38-42).

Our Bible School principal shared his own view of a just war and I found it helpful. He said that believers have two citizenships: that of their human birth and that of their spiritual rebirth. As a British citizen I can fight a just war against an invading army intent on evil, just as many Ukrainian believers are doing today, but as an individual believer, and citizen of heaven, I am to follow the principles laid down by Jesus under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. We are not under law but grace. On occasion, Paul insisted on his rights to be treated as the Roman citizen he was. 

The story of Joseph is full of unjust, unfair and undeserved suffering, yet through it all God was working out his purposes for Joseph himself, for his family, for the people of God and for the needy of the known world.

He was hated and sold into slavery by his brothers because he was their father's favourite. He was falsely accused of attempted rape and thrown into prison. He was then forgotten by the one he helped while in prison and left there for a further two years.

I know personally two men who were falsely accused and unjustly imprisoned for sexual crimes they never committed purely on the basis of accusations being made. No proper evidence was provided. In the wake of the Jimmy Saville scandal, this seems to have become commonplace.

Persecution is something we all need to prepare ourselves for. Jesus said: "Since they persecuted me … they will persecute you" (Jn 15:20). And Paul wrote to Timothy "Everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution" (2Tm 3:12).

However, many believers face daily persecution from unbelieving spouses and their sufferings often go unnoticed because there is little complaining. The worst of this often comes about when the offending spouse previously walked with God but became disillusioned, demotivated and embittered though atrocious and humiliating treatment at the hands of church leaders. Our task it to support those who suffer, and to seek to win back those who have walked away.

Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego had both faith for deliverance and grace for suffering. They did not see their salvation from the flames as their right. They said to Nebuchadnezzar: "If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God whom we serve is able to save us. He will rescue us from your power, Your Majesty. But even if he doesn't, we want to make it clear to you Your Majesty that we will never serve your gods or worship the golden statue you have set up.' Nebuchadnezzar was so furious … his face became distorted with rage. He commanded that the furnace be heated seven times hotter than usual" (Dn 3:16-19). But they remained untouched and Jesus walked into the furnace with them.