It is very clear in the Bible that as followers of Christ we WILL suffer persecution:
2 Timothy 3:12 "In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted..."
Philippians 1:29 "For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for Him..."
Before we get all up in arms about God "granting us" to suffer, let's remember something amazing about our God: He is not a God who expects us to suffer for Him without first suffering Himself!
Isaiah 53:3 "He was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain. Like one from whom people hide their faces he was despised, and we held him in low esteem."
For the longest time in our Land of the Free and Home of the Brave, this suffering has consisted of people not liking us or rejecting us because we speak the Truth. It leads me to question how we American Christians will respond when the "They hurt my feelings"-persecution turns into physical suffering-persecution. The thing is, if we know it's coming, WE NEED TO PREPARE OURSELVES.
So, how can we prepare ourselves for something horrible happening not just to us, but also to our children, family members, and people we love, because of our faith?
There's really only one answer to that question in my opinion: Growing deeper in our relationship with God through reading, meditating on, and memorizing God's Word and prayer. (Note to self: watching television and browsing Instagram or Facebook didn't make the cut!)
2 Timothy 3:16-17 "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be THOROUGHLY EQUIPPED for EVERY GOOD WORK." <Suffering for our faith is good work. This verse says it plain and simple: How can we prepare for suffering and persecution? The Word of God makes us thoroughly equipped!>
Now, just some comfort for those whose minds have gone to the heart-wrenching thought of your own children or loved ones being raped, beaten, or beheaded for the faith. I know when I initially saw the picture, I automatically pictured Abigail and Elijah as one of those children, and it's not a place I want my mind to wander. We can so easily allow fear to overwhelm us when we let our minds roam to what persecution will look like in America. Take heart, there is NO ROOM for fear of man or the future in the heart of a Christian! Here are some Scriptures to put your mind at ease. (These are also great Scriptures to memorize in order to prepare yourself in lieu of physical persecution. Hint, Hint!)
Romans 8:35-37 "Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: 'For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered sheep to be slaughtered.' No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord."
1 John 4:18 - "There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love."
Philippians 1:27-28 "Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come to see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit, striving together as one for the faith of the gospel without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved - and that by God."
Friends, whatever happens, let's stand in the face of opposition without any fear! What a powerful testimony that brings to those who hate and mock our God and wish to cause harm to our bodies! I want nothing more than to be prepared and ready, full of the Holy Spirit and the Word of God, to look persecution boldly in the face without fear! It can be done by His power working in us!
How are you spending your day? Do you take the most time out of your day growing deeper in your relationship with God? Are you equipping yourself for every good work (including persecution) daily by reading, meditating on, and memorizing the Word of God? When physical persecution comes to America (and also when you get to heaven) you will be glad to you did!
