“For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God.” (1Pet. 2:20)
Someone said, “Don’t tell everyone your troubles because half the people you tell them to don’t want to hear it and the other half feel you had it coming!”
We know we deserve it when we receive retribution for something bad we did. But the sad truth is, sometimes you will forgive others, serve others, love unconditionally, and STILL you will be done wrong! In other words, sometimes it just doesn’t seem fair.
So Peter wants to set the record straight. He says that if a person does wrong and then suffers the consequences, even though he or she patiently endures the punishment, nobody applauds. But—AND DON’T MISS THIS—when you do what is right and suffer for it with grace and patience, GOD applauds! God takes notice of your patient suffering and will reward you for enduring it when you suffer wrongfully.
Therefore, live so that when you stand before God at the Judgment and He rewards you for your faithfulness, He will say, “Congratulations! You had it coming!”