Many things are thrown at us by the world, by people and by the enemy; I’m sure all of us have been made fun of, ridiculed or even abused because of our belief in Jesus and His finished work on the cross.
Many of us will have been shunned by family and friends.
This should come as no surprise (2 Timothy 3 v 21) although it can be hurtful when it happens.
We need to ensure we know one thing when persecution comes along (as it surely will).
We need to know it is not personal and we must not take it personally.
Persecution does not come against you; it comes against Jesus and against the Word.
In John 15 v 20 Jesus tells His disciples to expect persecution as He was persecuted.
In Mark 4 v 17 Jesus tells us that persecution comes against the Word; it is designed to steal the Word from your heart to keep you from knowledge, understanding and fruitfulness.
I know it is hard (I’ve been there often including today), but we must not take persecution personally; we must rejoice in the Lord and not let it affect us.
Rejoice and rejoice and rejoice should be our response to persecution (Philippians 4 v 4 and 1 Thessalonians 5 v 16).
I know it is hard, I really can relate to you on this one!
My only advice is to rejoice and encourage yourself in the Lord as David did (1 Samuel 30 v 6); this is what is getting me through today!
Speak this out today…..”Thank you that I have the choice to rejoice in you”.
John 15 v 20…..Remember, the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also
Heilan Word Ministries 