Coping with Injustice? Discover How This Bible Passage Can Renew Your Hope
Life is often unfair. We’ve all experienced moments of deep hurt caused by the unjust actions of others. Whether it’s a betrayal by a loved one, an unreasonable boss, or societal injustices, these situations can leave us feeling powerless, angry, and filled with sorrow.
I recently spoke with a close friend who was going through a profoundly unjust situation. It was painful, undeserved, and deeply impactful. Because of others' lack of empathy and poor behavior, she found herself navigating a storm of unfairness.
Facing Injustice: A Shared Human Experience
Many of us can relate to such experiences. Unjust situations often arise from the imperfections of others—family members, ex-partners, employers, or even broader social structures. These moments are often emotionally charged because they highlight our lack of control and can leave us feeling like victims.
Sometimes, the power others hold over us is tangible, like a supervisor assigning impossible tasks and marking us poorly on reviews. Other times, we unintentionally give people power over our emotions. Regardless of the source, these experiences often spark feelings of anger, sadness, and even thoughts of revenge. How do you get over someone hurting you?
As Christians, we are called to respond differently. Even Jesus, humbly and willingly, faced the greatest injustice, enduring torture and death on the cross for sins he did not commit. Yet his story didn’t end there—it ended in victory through the resurrection.
Finding Strength in Faith During Injustice
Our faith is an incredible source of comfort and strength in the midst of these trials. It’s what helped my friend through her situation. Of course, she had moments of anger, sadness, and grief—those emotions are natural. But her faith kept her grounded, and her lowest moments weren’t as low as they could have been.
One day, while I was praying Psalm 37, I realized how perfectly it spoke to her situation. I shared it with her, and we prayed together. The words of the psalm brought us both peace and clarity.
Psalm 37: Trusting in God’s Justice
Psalm 37 opens with this reassuring instruction:
“Do not fret because of the wicked; do not be envious of wrongdoers, for they will soon fade like the grass and wither like the green herb. Trust in the Lord and do good.”
(Psalm 37:1–3)
When we are wronged, our first reaction is often to dwell on the injustice: “How could they do this to me? How could they be so heartless?” But Psalm 37 reminds us not to waste energy fretting over the actions of others. Instead, we’re invited to trust in God’s justice.
The psalm offers this beautiful reassurance: the wicked may flourish for a time, but they will ultimately “fade like the grass and wither.” God’s justice is eternal, even when human justice falls short. But trusting God doesn’t mean passive waiting. The psalmist calls us to action: “Trust in the Lord and do good.”
Through prayer, humility, and love, we are called to reflect God’s goodness in the face of injustice. By shining Christ’s light, even in difficult circumstances, we find healing and peace.
A Living Example of Psalm 37 in Action
This was the approach my friend embraced. Despite her situation, she continued to work diligently, help her colleagues, and trust in God’s plan. She would often tell me, “I’m playing the long game. My eyes are fixed on the ultimate reward with my beloved Jesus.”
Her faith in God’s promises helped her persevere. Psalm 37 promises that those who “wait for the Lord” will ultimately inherit peace and goodness. This is not easy—it requires patience and faith, especially when the resolution isn’t immediately visible.
“Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath. Do not fret—it leads only to evil. For the wicked shall be cut off, but those who wait for the Lord shall inherit the land.”
(Psalm 37:8–9)
How to Trust God in Injustice and Let Go of People who Hurt You
Here are some actionable ways to deepen your trust in God when facing personal injustice:
1. Surrender the Situation in Prayer
Bring your pain to God honestly. Tell him how you feel—angry, hurt, frustrated—and ask for the grace to trust him with the outcome. Pray Psalm 37 slowly, allowing its words to bring comfort and clarity to your heart.
2. Choose to Forgive
Forgiveness doesn’t mean excusing the wrongdoing or pretending it didn’t hurt. It means releasing the bitterness that weighs on your heart. Ask God for the grace to forgive, even if you’re not ready to fully let go yet. Sometimes it takes me a while, but when I finally forgive those who’ve wronged me, I feel a profound sense of liberation. It may take time, but the peace it brings is worth it.
3. Do Good in the Midst of Injustice
Psalm 37 encourages us to “do good.” When wronged, choose love and kindness—not as a reward for the wrongdoing, but as a reflection of God’s goodness. Acts of love can heal our wounds and transform the situation.
4. Seek Support
Injustice can feel isolating. Share your struggles with a trusted friend, spiritual advisor, or community. They can pray with you, offer perspective, and remind you of God’s faithfulness.
5. Hold onto Hope
God’s justice may not always be immediate, but it is certain. Reflect on times when he has been faithful to you in the past, and draw strength from those memories. Many of the Psalms of suffering and lament end in the author recounting how God was faithful in the past and describing his trust for God.
Looking Ahead to the Ultimate Reward
Psalm 37 ends with a beautiful promise:
“The salvation of the righteous is from the Lord; he is their refuge in the time of trouble. The Lord helps them and rescues them; He rescues them from the wicked, and saves them, because they take refuge in Him.”
(Psalm 37:39–40)
No matter what injustices you face, God is your refuge. He sees your pain, He hears your prayers, and He will not abandon you. Trust in His timing, lean on His strength, and rest in His promise of eternal justice and mercy.
Here’s a prayer to help you find peace and trust in God:
A Prayer to God for Strength and Justice
Heavenly Father, you are the God of justice and mercy. You see every wrong and know the pain I carry in my heart. In the face of this injustice, I feel powerless, hurt, and unsure of what to do.
Lord, I turn to You, trusting that you are my refuge and strength. I ask you to calm my anger, heal my wounds, and guide my heart toward peace. Help me to remember that vengeance belongs to you, not me, and that your justice is perfect, even when I cannot see it now.
Give me the grace to forgive those who have wronged me, even if it feels impossible. Teach me to respond with love, not hatred, and to trust in your plan for my life. Strengthen my faith so that I may wait patiently for your justice to unfold in your perfect time.
Lord, help me to see this trial through your eyes. Use it to shape me, purify me, and draw me closer to you. May my suffering be united to your Son’s on the Cross, so that it may bear fruit in my life and in the world.
I place this situation, and all the pain it carries, into your hands, O loving Father. Be my defender, my protector, and my guide. I trust in you, Lord, and I know that your mercy and love will sustain me. Amen.
By trusting in God’s justice, praying for His guidance, and living with love, we can find peace and hope even in the face of injustice. Let’s keep our eyes fixed on the ultimate reward— God’s eternal justice and mercy.
All for the Greater Glory of God