John 15:18-20

“If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours.''
Today I suffered persecution. The likes of which I haven't thus far in my life. I found some photos on facebook. They were meant as humorous photos, but they were definitely mocking Christianity. Not in a very humorous way. I usually try not to take offense at things like that, but no one was standing up for the followers of Christ. They were all laughing at these photos and hitting their like buttons. And it hurt me. It hurt me really badly that no one was standing up. Well that's kind of a lie, a few tried to stand up, but they were brutally attacked by other people's words. And that just isn't right. So, getting to my point, I commented on a couple. Well one I commented on was on someone's comment on the picture. I didn't do it in an attacking way, I just simply pointed out that there statement was inaccurate according to their own beliefs. Oh boy, was that a mistake. We had quite a debate going back and forth, and I was called some things that weren't exactly necessary. In the end we agreed to disagree and he admitted that he was wrong to have attacked someone for their personal beliefs because we are all entitled to them. The other was a picture saying that Atheism was better than Christianity because you don't have to get up on Sunday mornings and dress up. I simply commented that if that's the only thing keeping you from going to church and learning about the Lord, then there are churches out there which you can wear jeans and a t-shirt to, and churches which have Sunday evening services, or services later in the day. Wow, right away I was called a dumb b++++ and a lazy American and told that if I choose to worship I should at least do it in the correct manner. Really??? I mean is that really necessary. I think not. So of course that started another chain of comments. Man. I know I am back though. Back on God's side. Because I felt anger inside of me at those things instead of laughing along with them as I probably would have done this summer. Not laughing in agreement necessarily, but just not really seeing how wrong it is.

My heart really hurt, because I knew that other people didn't see what was wrong with it. And how they really weren't funny pictures. Anytime you attack a persons faith, even if done humorously it is wrong. But then I was really thinking about persecution after those comments. And this verse really popped into my head. We are hated for being different from the world. And we are always going to be while we are pre-apocalyptic times. And we are gonna be hated even worse during the apocalypse someday. And as much as it sucks, we kinda can take comfort in the fact that we are doing it right. We are really living it. And we can really take comfort in the fact that we aren't alone, and Jesus himself suffered the worst forms of persecution for us. And thank goodness that all we are attacked with nowadays are words. A couple of thousand years ago, people were brutally murdered in public for being a follower. They had to attend church in secrecy. We don't right now.While thinking [about persecution] I did what I always do while thinking. I googled. Side note, you will find out through this blog that I use google for everything. Anyways, back to my point. I googled verses about persecution. Here are a couple that I am going to end the blog with. And as always, thanks soooo much for reading.

For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong. -2 Corinthians 12:10

Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you.
-1 Peter 4:12-14