Tough Happiness Jesus said that persecuted people can be happy! Persecution can be good because (1) it takes our eyes off earthly rewards, (2) it strips away superficial belief, (3) it strengthens the faith of those who endure, and (4) it serves as an example to others who follow. The fact that we are being persecuted proves that we have been faithful; faithless people would be unnoticed. Later, two of the disciples, Peter and John, would be physically abused for their faith (see Acts 5:17-41). Yet because they knew how Jesus had suffered, they praised God that he had allowed them to be persecuted like their Lord. If you are mocked or persecuted for your faith, it isn’t because you’re doing something wrong, but because God has counted you “worthy to suffer dishonor for his name” (Acts 5:41). You can then be happy in the middle of persecution, for you have understood what it means to have the Kingdom of Heaven within you.
Posted on: Wed, 26 Mar 2014 15:12:08 +0000