“When people realize it is the living God you are representing and not some idol that makes them feel good, they are going to turn on you, even people in your own family. There is a great irony here: proclaiming so much love, experiencing so much hate! But don’t quit. Don’t cave in. It is well worth it in the end… Before you’ve run out of options, the Son of Man will have arrived.” Matthew 10:21-23 MSG
Discouragement or Disappointment
Jesus took the time to warn and prepare His disciples that persecutions would come to all who choose to follow Him and do His will. He warned His disciples then, and He warns us as believers now. Persecutions will come in many different ways, and we should not be surprised when they come or how they come. We need to learn to view them as positive things and be encouraged that what we are doing is the right thing for His glory in this life on our journey with Him.
This insight can be tough to swallow, because when I feel that I’m not being heard or welcomed anymore by a particular person or people, it can hurt at the time, and I may be a bit surprised or taken back by their response or actions; but God quickly reminds me of this particular warning in scripture.
I’ve learned to be cautious at those times, pray, and totally rely on the Lord to make sure that I don’t say or do anything that would irritate others nor allow them to frustrate me. If I become anxious or fearful, or fight back with biting words, then slowly I can be drawn into sin and lose my peace with God. If I get discouraged with the situation, then I can be led on a negative downward spiral; however, when I choose to carefully follow God’s direction that He’s telling me to slowly, quietly, back away from my social surroundings, then I am assured that in His time, He will take care of the situation and surround me with friends or family who are open and ready to listen.
I’m not at all implying that we should hide or escape from our troubles nor physically move to another city, job, or church, but to acknowledge that our work has been accomplished in that particular environment. When we choose not to quit or get stuck in discouragement, then God will again surround us with familiar or unfamiliar faces and our work shall continue until He leads us elsewhere—or until the day of His coming.
I don’t get discouraged anymore. I do feel disappointment, however, and I understand that it is God who has completed His work through me and is moving me on where I will be effective for His Kingdom, and I’m okay with that.
Lord, thank You for the persecutions that come our way, and the reassurance that we are doing Your will. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.