“Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me” (Mt.5:11).
When someone is out to get you, expect a flood of emails, texts, phone calls, random visits and godless social media posts. You can even expect them to use your very children in their wretched cause against your faith.
I have heard Christians reassure others by saying, “There are laws against slander and harassment.” And ‘calling the cops’ is an option, but not one easily taken against people you want to save—despite their hateful behaviour toward you.
The hardest thing about dealing with “people who insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Jesus” is that they are hurting themselves. If your enemies persist in persecuting you, though you bless them according to their physical and spiritual needs, then they are calling the wrath of God down upon their heads, at their own invitation (Rom.12:19-20). I have seen those who have given their lives into the hands of Satan treat faithful Christians in shameful ways. But in their minds, they are there to pour out the righteous indignation of God upon the self-righteous.
What to do? “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer” (Rom.12:12).
Hope drives us on. Without it, we quit, and with it we have our reason to be patient in affliction. Hope and patience will keep us from emotional overload, so we see can see things as God sees them. Persecution of Christians is first and foremost an assault on Jesus—he will bring them to justice. Our job is to be ever faithful in prayer. It is in prayer that we connect to the God who is in all and overall. He is the One who makes all things – including enduring persecution because of the cross – to work together for good.
Stay strong. God is with you.
John Staiger
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