Christianity is God’s ordained religion that gives hope and salvation to people.
The religion promotes every good thing that can benefit humanity.
However, the religion also attracts the attention of some enemies.
Satan and his hosts often raise their ugly heads to harass and persecute people who practice Christianity – The Christians.
Christianity can expose its observers to some tough circumstances – Meanwhile the circumstances will ultimately work for believers’ benefits.
Paul shared his personal experience of Christianity and said,
“… Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they the seed of Abraham? So am I. Are they ministers of Christ?—I speak as a fool—I am more: in labors more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequently, in deaths often.
From the Jews five times I received forty stripes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods; once I was stoned; three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I have been in the deep; in journeys often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers,
In perils of my own countrymen, in perils of the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; in weariness and toil, in sleeplessness often, in hunger and thirst, in fasting often, in cold and nakedness” (2 Corinthians 11:22-27).
Lesson on Persecution and Trials
Christians will experience trials and temptations on earth, but God will help us overcome them all.
Believers will face persecutions from people that oppose our faith in God.
The enemies will seek for opportunities, and also raise false accusations against the saints.
Believers must not be afraid of our challenging moments because Jesus Christ has promised to help us overcome.
Christ promised victory for his saints as said,
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33).
Christians Are Not The Losers
Satan will try whatever he can in an attempt to break our confidence in God.
His efforts may include an attack on our testimonies; he may instigate people to abuse us, and he may aim at hurting us emotionally.
Meanwhile, our steadfastness in Jesus Christ is very important. Jehovah will not allow our tears to go unaccounted for.
He will reward our endurance, and he will decorate our lives with honor. Steadfast Christians will receive God’s good rewards on earth, and in heaven.
Christ’s affirmative statement of victory must be resounding in every Christian’s mind: Trials, temptations, and persecutions would remain temporal in our lives.
No matter how tough life situations may appear, children of God will overcome them!
Prayer of Grace to be Steadfast during Persecution
Dear God, please give me strength to maintain my confidence in you.
Help me to remain a steadfast Christian.
Let my faith in you remain firm during the period of persecution.
Please give me strength to remain in faith and prevail over my adversaries.
Empower me through your Holy Spirit to live an acceptable life before you always, and let the songs of your testimony ever remain in my mouth.
For in the name of Jesus Christ I pray. Amen.
