Keeping Hope Through Everyday Struggles and Persecution
Throughout the past year or so I have faced varying struggles and persecutions. These struggles have come from work, family, and social situations that I have been a part of. I am sure none of this surprises anyone because we all face struggles in these areas at different times. What always seems to surprise me though is… why me? I try to be consistent in reading my bible and furthering my faith. I try to treat all people with respect and courtesy, work hard, and be a good ambassador from Christ. The thing is, I fail at all of these attempts at good “works” because I am sinner.
“For grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast” (NASB Eph 2:8-9). Even though I know works, while good and evidence of faith, do not save-I still can fall into a mindset that since I try to be good I should have minimal struggle in my life-even though the bible clearly says otherwise. The saving grace of our Lord Jesus is truly amazing to me. I mean, what human mind would devise a system where anybody, despite their past and how long they have lived a life of debauchery, can simply ask for Christ’s forgiveness, even on their deathbed-and be saved?! That takes a supernatural being who loves us. Humans, no matter how good, are embroiled in competition or measuring who should get this or that based off merit-not grace. God loves us for being us!
As I mentioned previously, living a life for Christ is not easy and God never said as much. Despite wanting it to be otherwise, our lives will have conflict, struggle, persecution and pain. “For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison, while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal” (2 Cor 4:17-18). When your perspective is that we will live an eternal life, the struggles we face in our short time on earth are but light afflictions and a blip on the filmstrip of our life. Later on in his letter to the church at Corinth Paul reveals that “… to keep from exalting myself, there was given me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me-to keep me from exalting myself” (2 Cor 4:7)! Paul asked for this thorn to be removed and Christ said “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness” (2 Cor 4:9).
While some people are destined to suffer more than others, the struggles we all face serve to shape our character and refine who we are in Christ. Romans 5:3-5 says, “… we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.”
My purpose in this devotional is to encourage everyone in their daily struggles-no matter how big or small. As believers we will all suffer, struggle, and be persecuted-the goal is to remain strong in your faith and grow as a person no matter how hard it may seem. Timothy says “Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted” (2 Tim 3:12). These persecutions will take different forms. The bottom line though is that struggles and persecutions should be expected and are not necessarily a sign of doing something wrong-they are just a matter of life. I will end with the following passage which gives me comfort and hope amidst struggles and persecution, maybe it will do the same for you:
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus from the dead, to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ; and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, obtaining as the outcome of your faith the salvation of your souls” (1 Peter 1:3-9).