The Blessings of Persecution

How in the world anyone could think that they would be blessed for being rejected by sharing their faith?  Isn’t it hard to think of persecution as a blessing?  What’s good about being scorned or ridiculed for telling others about Jesus Christ?

Jesus said that not only are we blessed when we are persecuted, but we are to pray for those who do this to us (Matthew 5:44).  Imagine praying for someone who has hurt you or wants to hurt you.  It’s difficult to believe that you are being blessed when someone hates you.  Believe it because Jesus said, “Blessed are you when men hate you, when they exclude you and insult you and reject your name as evil, because of the Son of Man” (Luke 6:22) and “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me” (Matthew 5:11).

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The Apostles were disgraced for their witnessing, but they “left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name” (Acts 5:41).  It’s good to remember that they really don’t hate the messenger as much as they hate the message.  The next time someone persecutes you for your sharing the gospel, thank God because you have been blessed for His name’s sake and the spirit of glory rests upon you.

If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. –  1 Peter 4:14