Justice

Here's another, 'wait, let me reread it again' moment.

http://bible.com/1/2th.1.6.kjv Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you;

We will suffer on this side of glory. It's not an option.

We may 'coast' along for periods of time - that non existent plateau of 'ahh' everything is right.

Which is really an illusion, since it's only based upon ourselves (it's ALL about me) and our perceptions.

Whereas God sees everyone and every situation and there will never be the perfect 'ahh' moment (actually eternity) until He calls us all home.

Somewhere there is always persecution, death, distress, disease, etc. But the really glorious thought, as expressed in the passage?

God RIGHTEOUSLY recompenses those that trouble us, physical and spiritual 'enemies' and 'frenemies' (you know those people who act as if they are your friend, but eventually show themselves NOT to be).

So saints when we suffer (not because we're being corrected) but because we're showing HIM, God is keeping record. He doesn't always judge in the time frame which we'd like.

And no we can't call lightening down from heaven when someone is being a pain. :-)

We can, and should, be praying, not for vengeance on them, rather that God's grace would open their blind eyes and deaf ears and we would stand boldly for truth and be blameless witnesses for Him.

TRUSTING Him to work out either salvation in them, sanctification in us, and an eventual 'settling of the books' at the end.

So whose annoying you? Not treating you well? 'Sandpapering'? Outright persecuting you? Mocking Your God? Gossiping (frenemies)? or are you in a trial (always allowed by God) to refine you?

Pray dear saint, pray more. Prayer doesn't change God, it changes us.