Dealing with Persecution

Life as a Christian is hard. It's not only giving up things in life that are wrong, turning away from our sins, and trying to live right that makes it difficult. One thing in particular makes it hard. That is the people that will try to bring you down or persecute you. What is persecution? Well, I looked the word up in the dictionary: 

per·se·cute

 [pur-si-kyoot] 

verb (used with object), per·se·cut·ed, per·se·cut·ing.

1.

to pursue with harassing or oppressive treatment, especially because of religion, race, or beliefs; harass persistently.

2.

to annoy or trouble persistently.

Persecution can be a physical thing, but in this post, I am talking about verbal persecution. An example is when someone judges you for trying to do only what is right, calling you names because you try to live a sinless life. If you have tried to live in a way pleasing to God, you have most likely been persecuted. It hurts. We should always remember though, that in the end, what God thinks of us is SO much more important than what the world thinks of us.


Persecution is discussed many times in the Bible.

 Matthew 5:10
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Matthew 5:12
Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

 Jesus was persecuted because of who He was, how He lived, and what He did. We as Christians are to live like Jesus, and will be persecuted in life also.

John 15:20
Remember the words I spoke to you: 'No servant is greater than his master.' If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also.

I have personally been made fun of MANY times for my faith, and found this scripture to be the most reassuring and comforting in times of pain from hurtful words.

1 Peter 4:12-16
Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when His glory is revealed. If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler. However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name.

 Next time someone makes fun of you for doing what's right, just remember that Jesus suffered persecution and made the ULTIMATE sacrifice by dying for us, so that we don't have to. We are put here on earth to live our lives pleasing to God, and there is absolutely nothing to be ashamed about!

An amazing song about this is Losing by Tenth Avenue North: