And as they were stoning Stephen, he called out, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” And falling to his knees he cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep.
–Acts 7:59-60
All over the globe today, people are suffering for their faith in Christ. In China, men and women are imprisoned every day for holding church services in their homes. In the Middle East, churches and ministries are bombed for spreading the Gospel message. And in parts of India, Christians are often beaten and killed if they’re discovered worshipping.
Now if you play it safe and never open your mouth at school or on the job, nobody will say a word. But once you stand for Christ and for his truth, you’re going to face some persecution. It may not be as severe as that of those faithful believers in China, the Middle East, and India, but you will experience insults and push-back.
So what are we to do when that happens? Well, we’re not supposed to get mad or get even. No, the apostle Peter says, “If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you” (1 Peter 4:14).
The early Christians, when they were thrown in prison for their faith, said, “Thank you, Lord, that you count us worthy to suffer for you.” So if somebody puts you down for your testimony of Christ, thank God for the privilege of being a Christian and the blessedness of walking with him!
WHEN YOU EXPERIENCE PERSECUTION, THANK GOD FOR ALLOWING YOU TO SUFFER FOR HIM BECAUSE IT MEANS HE’S AT WORK IN YOU!
