Faith through persecution

Hey everyone, so this week I decided to talk about faith through persecution because that’s something that people all over the world are facing take California for example, they had to go to court just to be able to allow in-home prayer meetings to me that’s simply crazy that people wouldn’t be able to pray together in their homes and friend’s homes because of COVID… If that’s the case for you that you aren’t able to pray with your friends anywhere then this post is for you. James 1:2-3 says;” Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.” Did you catch that? Consider it PURE JOY! I capitalized the pure joy part because while trials can be hard, they can also be joyful because it can bring you both closer to Christ and those around you depending on what you’re going through or have gone through. For me personally, these past few years have been crazy to put it mildly between moving back to Des Moines, Iowa and back into my parent’s house in in 2019 along with my first breakup and relationship that same year, changing churches, starting my first job and then finding a second job because I was only working consistently once a week so then at one point, I was working everyday Monday-Saturday up until about a month ago and my first job ending back in February. So yeah, life has been crazy and sometimes a bit overwhelming at times if not all the time and that’s okay. Because as much as it would be nice for life to just be simple sometimes and just slow down it’s rare that it’ll happen. Because life wasn’t meant to be simple it was meant to an adventure. Because just like James 1:2-3 talks about faith produces perseverance even if it might not seem that way sometimes. Because life can be stressful, and it can feel like your being attacked sometimes but you know what? With God on your side, you can fight that battle. That’s something that I’ve been learning a lot these past almost 2 weeks with my general manager at burger king announcing that he put his 2 weeks in and then Tuesday was his last day and I honestly don’t know how it’s going to turn out and as I’m writing this, I’m honestly nervous about how it’s going to turn out. Plus, different stuff going on in my own life outside of work that I don’t know how those situations are going to turn out. Maybe that’s how life is for you you’re going through a time of uncertainty. I’m here to tell you that even though your life may be full of uncertainty there’s at least one part of your life that will never be filled with uncertainty and that’s your faith in Christ. So those of you that went to court in order to have in-home prayer meetings that showed a lot of courage and I’m sure all of you put a huge smile on God’s face because that right there showed a lion amount of courage! Daniel 6:16-23 says;”So the king gave the order, and they brought Daniel and threw him into the lions’ den. The king said to Daniel, “May your God, whom you serve continually, rescue you!”A stone was brought and placed over the mouth of the den, and the king sealed it with his own signet ring and with the rings of his nobles, so that Daniel’s situation might not be changed. Then the king returned to his palace and spent the night without eating and without any entertainment being brought to him. And he could not sleep.At the first light of dawn, the king got up and hurried to the lions’ den. ²⁰ When he came near the den, he called to Daniel in an anguished voice, “Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to rescue you from the lions?”Daniel answered, “May the king live forever! My God sent his angel, and he shut the mouths of the lions. They have not hurt me, because I was found innocent in his sight. Nor have I ever done any wrong before you, Your Majesty.”The king was overjoyed and gave orders to lift Daniel out of the den. And when Daniel was lifted from the den, no wound was found on him, because he had trusted in his God.” Did you catch that last part? Because he had trusted in his God. The same God that Daniel trusted in this story is the same God that you can trust as well through life’s craziest times. Because just as God kept Daniel safe back then he’ll keep you safe now. I know life is crazy. Honestly, these past few weeks or years I’m not sure which have been crazy but at the same time amazing because I’ve learned more about myself than I ever did because while when I first found out that my now ex-boyfriend had cheated on me during the time that we were dating I admit I didn’t want anything to do with him and wasn’t sure how to respond now. While what he did was wrong, I wish him the best in life and am okay with not having him in my life. Maybe you’re in the same or similar position I was in almost 2 years ago. I just want to encourage you to reach out to people that you trust and tell them about what’s happening and talk to God about it as well because he cares about you more than anyone ever will and will never hurt you. While I know it can be tempting to do don’t hold your emotions in it’ll only hurt you more. I’m talking from experience with this. 2 Corinthians 12:10 says;”That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”  Just like this verse talks about when you are weak then you are strong. So, when someone hurts you or you feel weak in spirit just remember that in Christ you are strong no matter what happens! As I close, I just want to challenge you to enjoy life to the fullest no matter what life throws at you. As always, if you have any questions, prayer requests or just want to talk feel free to e-mail me at Homeschoolgradblog@gmail.com, comment below or message me on my Facebook page which is has the same name as this blog. Thanks for reading!