Insults

2 Corinthians 12:10

I was at the airport, waiting to board our flight. The gate agent had transferred me onto a narrow chair so I could be wheeled down the aisle of the plane. My two friends had already gone ahead to place their carry-on luggage under their seats. While I was waiting, I mentioned my seat number to the gate agent — he just grunted. When it was okay for me to board, I told him my seat number again. He still refused to take me on board. When I explained that I knew my seat assignment, he said he wanted to double-check with my friends. I knew why he didn’t believe me. People see my paralyzed body and assume that my brain must be paralyzed, too. I felt insulted.

I also felt indignant. But later on, I thought of Philippians 2:5-7: “Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing.” Other translations say “made himself of no reputation.” As I thought about the many insults Jesus endured, I realized that I, too, could delight in insults. The reproach I experienced was only minor compared to what Jesus suffered, but it gave me a wonderful sense of identification with Him. I was able to delight in the insult because I had a far deeper security, a greater confidence, and a sense of eternal worth — all for the sake of Christ.

First Peter 2:23-24 says, “When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly.” If someone misreads or misrepresents you today, don’t retaliate. Rest your confidence in Christ. Who knows? You may find yourself taking pleasure in the reproach.