Throughout the latest wave, I was somehow biding my way through it, thinking that no matter what others were raining down angrily upon me, their persecution could never separate me from God’s love, and I felt secure in knowing they would be powerless to overcome me. Thanks be to God!
What a huge surprise to find this reading today, most likely confirmation of what I had experienced earlier this week, as if God was saying, yes, nothing will separate us! This trial had no power!
Sirach2,
Thank you for bringing this thread to my attention as I did not know that it existed until now. I plan to study it in its entirety when I can.
I am sure that most of us can admit to brooding over some perceived or actual injury from another from time to time. And, at times, this can include brooding over actual persecutions. In the past, I habitually did this and spent much time dwelling on the thoughts of my perceived injustices.
At one point about a year ago, I was especially vexed by this with my dealings with one particular person. At the time, I was dealing with a person who frequently found fault in me and often attributed bad motives to many of the things that I would say or do. I generally responded with defending and explaining myself, trying to refute the accusations. But, this only made things worse and caused more conflict. I even started believing some of the words that were said of me, thinking that I was somehow shirking my duty, acting like a hypocrite, and displeasing God accordingly. Yet, I could not pin down anything specific on which I had failed and certainly nothing that warranted the other person’s response.
I continued in this confused state until one day a friend of mine pointed out that the accusations and manner of the other person were not from God. That’s when the light bulb went on for me and I suddenly found peace and could see that all was well with God and that I had not somehow inadvertently let Him down.
I was also reminded that God brings about peace not confusion (see 1 Cor. 14:33). Now as I reflect on my dealings with the other person, I can see that many of the attributes of the Holy Spirit were absent, e.g., love, peace, gentleness, kindness, patience, among other positive fruits. Their lack was both on my part by acting defensively and by brooding internally and on the other person’s part by using unkind and coarse words with me.
So, it is true that we, as Christians, will undergo numerous persecutions, endure false accusations, and will be frequently misunderstood. But, this should not come as a surprise as Jesus endured all of this Himself (e.g., recall that they accused Jesus of casting out demons by Beelzebub, the prince of demons (Lk. 11:15)). Knowing that Jesus endured mistreatment should give us the courage to endure the same (and we are at most times partially to blame for ours whereas Jesus is without any!).
Here are a few Scripture verses that help me personally endure persecution and misunderstandings from others, as well as accept that I may not be liked by everyone.
Gal. 1:10: “Am I currying favor with human beings or God? Or am I seeking to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a slave of Christ.”
Rom. 12:18&19: “If possible, on your part, live at peace with all. Beloved, do not look for revenge but leave room for the wrath; for it is written, ‘Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says The Lord.’”
Heb. 13:5&6: “…for He has said, ‘I will never forsake you or abandon you.’ Thus we may say with confidence: ‘The Lord is my helper, [and] I will not be afraid. What can anyone do to me?’”
I hope you find some or all of this helpful. You have been a great help to me.
houston1
