Life's painful but necessary perils

John 16:33 - In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world. 

Troubles are a given thing in the christian live. Don't believe anyone who says otherwise becasue Jesus himself has said... you will....

But the difficult troubles/perils are the ones that come from people close to you or the ones you trusted most. The phrase "You too Brutus" was not just a saying but a saying from a bleeding heart. Even Jesus himself had to experience that from the hands of his disciples. One said, "I don't know him," another betrayed him, the rest ran away.

But in the beatitudes, Jesus promised a blessing to the who suffer such troubles. Mat 5:11 - 12 - Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

In fact when we suffer false accusations becasue of the ministry or for the name of Jesus, the Lord exhorts us rejoice. What a paradox. The normal person will be deflated, hurt to the core and become reclusive. The carnal reaction will be one of anger and agitation, the tendency to defend, debate, justify, even ask for apology or even pronounce curses on the accuser and sometimes attack. Jesus mentioned none of those. Rather His reaction was completely opposite to rational thinking. He was simply saying if you are citizen of the coming kingdom, these should not bother you but rejoice becasue "great is you reward in heaven". 

That can really deflate one's pride. More often we are moved to react negatively because of selfish pride has been hurt, belittled and spurned. 

The lesson here is that if we are to become more like Christ and if His words are to take root in us, we should be people who will do what He says. He himself was ridiculed, despised and rejected. They said He was operating under the powers of the devil. If they did that to Jesus, you and I are no exception. Mat 10:25 -It is enough for students to be like their teachers, and servants like their masters. If the head of the house has been called Beelzebul, how much more the members of his household! 

By the way, Jesus reminded that what we go through is not something new. Even the great prophets of old have gone through the same path. 

Some practical helps: 

1.   Remember what you go through is nothing new. 2 Tim 3:12 - Everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.

2.   Do not repay evil for evil . Romans 12:17-18 -   Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. f it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my dear friends.

3.   Love them and pray for them. - Mat 5:44 - love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.

4.    Give God the praise. 1 Peter 4:16 - However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name.

5.   Wait patiently on the Lord. Ps 40-1-3 - I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear the Lord and put their trust in him.

6.   Be assured of victory. Psalms 3:1-4

 A psalm of David. When he fled from his son Absalom.
1 Lord, how many are my foes!
    How many rise up against me!
2 Many are saying of me,
    “God will not deliver him.
3 But you, Lord, are a shield around me,
    my glory, the One who lifts my head high.
4 I call out to the Lord,
    and he answers me from his holy mountain.
 

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