Should It Surprise Us...

Should it surprise us when people undermine our efforts or insult our actions? Should it shock us when we face scrutiny and ridicule daily for our beliefs? Should we really think that it is beyond comprehension for we as Christians to experience hate and prejudice from the outside world? What makes us feel this way? The Bible declared to us that we would go through these things and therefore why should we be astonished when we do? In 1 Peter 4:12-14 the Bible tells us

"Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you." (NIV)

So you see we should not be caught off guard by these transgressions but rather we should stand fast in the knowledge that if the world cursed, beat, spit on, and battered our Lord, then why shouldn't they do the same to us. We should take solice and comfort in the fact that we are going through these tribulations, and we should thank God that we have the strength and resilience to make it to the other side of the trial. Just know this, no matter what you go through for His Name's Sake, He went through worse and endured more for your's...