See It As Peter Saw It….

In today’s world of slanted/biased news, we hear of how evil continues to thrive, and more and more of nothing being done about it. It’s easy to let it get us down. But it only takes one reminder to change it all. Instead of interpreting Christian persecution (churches being shut down, abortion being a civil right, marriage redefined, etc...) as a personal attack, or a horrible thing, take Peter’s stance on this topic. See it as Peter saw it, “be happy...”, for it proves God’s Spirit rests upon us. This discomfort we experience will not outweigh the reward we will receive for enduring the suffering and continuing to follow, praise, and preach the Good News. And for those that are doing the persecuting, judgement awaits them. An accurate, deserved, and 100% applicable sentence will be carried out against them. We need not worry or fret over the justice that will be served to them. They will get what they deserve, and we need not be anxious over it. When we suffer for being Christian, we experience what Jesus experienced (to a degree) and it draws us closer to Him. He will never fail us, so continue to keep doing what is “right”, trusting God will keep us in His will. Persecution is proof God exists, and it’s a way of drawing closer to Jesus by experiencing what He experienced. When it’s over, we will be closer to Him, wiser in our walk, and stronger in our faith. That’s reason to be happy instead of down and sad, isn’t it?

14 So be happy when you are insulted for being a Christian, for then the glorious Spirit of God rests upon you. 15 If you suffer, however, it must not be for murder, stealing, making trouble, or prying into other people’s affairs. 16 But it is no shame to suffer for being a Christian. Praise God for the privilege of being called by His name! 17 For the time has come for judgment, and it must begin with God’s household. And if judgment begins with us, what terrible fate awaits those who have never obeyed God’s Good News? 18 And also, “If the righteous are barely saved,what will happen to godless sinners?” 19 So if you are suffering in a manner that pleases God, keep on doing what is right, and trust your lives to the God who created you, for He will never fail you. 1 Peter 4:14-19