by Michelle B. Smith

Created on: August 05, 2009

It is true, no good deed goes unpunished. However, from a faithful perspective being punished for a good deed is perhaps one of the most eye opening opportunities granted by a higher power. For those who are constant in their faith, it is no revelation that faith is something ever growing and constantly being challenged. While no good deed goes unpunished, this punishment can be seen as way to better understand the world, oneself, and used a tool to further develop your faith.

We have all had an experience where we felt as if doing a good deed left us worse off than before. Have you ever loaned a relative money only for them to spread gossip about how cheap and selfish you are? What about the time when you received a very nasty response from the woman whose wallet you returned after it was dropped on the street? These are just some of the examples of how we all get slapped in the face by mankind after committing an act of kindness. While many harden their hearts and give up on the human condition, there are many advantages that can be taken from these downfalls in human character. Firstly, one should not see performing a good deed as a means to gain something. Doing something good for someone else should not be done so you can get an award, monetary compensation, or even as much as a thank you. Doing the right thing is done because it is the right thing to do and anything else would go against your moral grain. This is a mistake many people make when trying to help others. While it is not wrong to hope for a simple "thank you", it is not promised.

Once you have been punished for doing a good deed, where do you go from there? As with anything in life, learning does not come from vengeance, hardened hearts or an eye for eye mentality. While it is difficult to recover from a punishment that was placed upon you for doing a good deed, it is truly worth the wait. As nothing good comes easy in life, having to stay steady in your faith is a true testament. The worst thing to do in a situation such as this is turn your back on your faith due to the failure of others. If anything, go to the one who wronged you and attempt to make it right. While you are not the one who committed the hurtful act, it would be childish of you to allow the tensions to remain. When we grow from childhood to adulthood we must escape the "he started it" or "they did it first" mentality and even take responsibility for others for the betterment of the whole.

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