ENTRUST YOURSELF TO HIM

1 Peter 2:21-23 says,

21 For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an 

example, so that you might follow in his steps. 22 He committed no sin, neither was deceit 

found in his mouth. 23When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he

 did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. 

During a particularly challenging time in ministry, these words came alive to me. I wrote them down and stuck them on my refrigerator as a frequent reminder. As a preacher’s wife, more than likely you have experienced criticism, or even worse, had to watch your husband receive unwarranted criticism. What kept me grounded during that time was thinking about Jesus’ response to these situations…he humbly kept his mouth closed.

When I think on the cross, I obviously think about the immense pain he endured, the agony of being separated from the Father, and the willingness to go through with the plan. But what gets me even more than the excruciating physical pain is the mental and emotional pain. While he was going through this torture, he was actively being insulted and mocked by people around him…the ultimate slap in the face. The very people he was trying to save were making fun of him and saying hurtful things. He handled it by asking God to forgive them because they didn’t understand what they were doing.

In no way is what we face as preacher’s wives anywhere close to what our Lord faced, but I do think we can be encouraged by His example to us. When we face times that untrue or hurtful things are being said about us, our husbands, and our families, may we remember the ultimate example of our Savior who did not revile in return but continued entrusting himself to the Father.

Love and blessings to you all,

• Brianna Johnson, Florence, AL