03/02/2025
Submitting to the Harsh, Enduring the Difficult: Trusting God in Hard Relationships
Have you ever struggled with submitting to someone in authority over you, whether it's a difficult boss, a demanding spouse, or an overbearing leader? Maybe you're a maid or employee who feels mistreated by your mistress or employer. Whatever the situation, it's easy to feel like resisting or fleeing.
However, as we see in the story of Hagar and Sarah (Genesis 16), God often calls us to submit to those in authority over us, even when it's difficult. Hagar, despite being mistreated by Sarah, was instructed by the Angel of the Lord to return to her mistress and submit to her. And in doing so, God promised to bless her with many descendants.
As the Bible says, "Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human authority" (1 Peter 2:13, NIV). This doesn’t mean enduring abuse or toxic situations without seeking help or safety, but it does mean trusting God’s plan, praying for His wisdom, and remaining faithful to His guidance.
Enduring Difficult Relationships on the Same Level or Below
Submission is not limited to enduring difficult authority figures. Sometimes, the challenge is with peers, friends, or those below us, such as subordinates or even children. Enduring such relationships requires patience, love, and faith in God’s transformative power.
Jesus endured Judas Iscariot’s betrayal, knowing Judas’ heart but still extending him kindness (John 13:26). God Himself endures us, despite our sin and rebellion, showing His patience and love (Romans 5:8). These examples teach us the value of endurance, not because we accept or condone sin, but because we trust God to work through us for His purposes.
In these situations, God calls us to patience and longsuffering. As Colossians 3:13 (NKJV) says, "bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do." By bearing with others, we show the love a