God blesses those who are persecuted for doing right, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.” (Matthew 5:10, NLT)
Persecution has been defined as acts or actions taken against a group of people to exterminate or cause harm to the group based on their religious, ethnic, social, or racial background.
It can happen anywhere to any group of people. Other parts of the world have surely faced greater persecution than Christians have here in the United States.
The tide may be changing as believers are pushed back and the Church is no longer the center of American life. Let’s take a closer look at persecution and its affect on us today.
“Persecution is like holy fertilizer that sinks into the soil of our hearts and minds, producing Christlikeness as we respond to Jesus in faith.”
(from The Good Life by Dr. Derwin L. Gray, page 193)
Hard times and difficulties cause us to learn to focus on God, His Word, and His promises instead of our problems. Even when life seems bleak and hopeless, we find ourselves filled with hope and endurance.
“Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.” (James 1:2-4, NLT)
Hard times and difficulties cause us to grow, allowing Him to remove sin from our lives and stand faithful in the face of opposition.
In this time when the climate around us is shifting and becoming more divided, let’s look at the topic of persecution to learn how we are to respond. Won’t you join me at Woman to Woman Ministries HERE to read more?
Today I am joining … Inspire Me Monday and Remember Me Monday .
