How to Face Persecution
Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for my sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. ~Matt 5:11~
Persecution is the systematic mistreatment of an individual or group by another group. Everyone has suffered mistreatment to various degrees. Mistreatment may have come from family, so called friends, co-workers, strangers etc. But, when is persecution really persecution? And how do you deal with it? In society, many groups or individuals have suffered persecution, but the group i am most concerned with is that of the Christian. Christians are among the most hated groups throughout the country. In some parts of the world, professing to be Christian, can cause your life. Part of the reason Christians undergo terrible treatment is because many proclaim the life of Christianity, but their lives couldn't be further from the truth, creating hypocrisy. The life of a christian requires a life time of dedication and discipline, that many feel is simply too hard. Yet, the life of a Christian is not hard.
Christianity is simply a call to righteous living. This means you make every effort to do what is right. For this reason alone, many will test you. They will curse you to your face, you will be accused of things you did not do, many will try to lay and set traps for you, sabotage you, and most of all, try to take you out of the will of God. But rememember, the bible declares us blessed. We should be exceedingly glad; great is our reward in heaven. For the Christian, suffering persecution is a sign that you are on the right path with Christ. Remember the persection of our lord and savior Jesus Christ. Part of taking on the life of Christ means suffering as Christ did. We should rejoice, because we are getting it right with God.
May God add a blessing to all whom read these words.