Why Should I Turn the Other Cheek?

“But I tell you, don’t resist him who is evil; but whoever strikes you on your right cheek, turn to him the other also.” (Matthew 5:39, WEB-BE)

If God loves me, why would He want me to be hurt? Why would He want me to be slapped again? Such were the questions I must admit I’ve asked myself whenever I read the Bible verse about turning the other cheek.

In a world full of bullies, abusive spouses and manipulative tyrants, how do we explain this difficult teaching? Should justice be expected only in the life to come? Should we tolerate evil that happens before our very eyes?