Bad week? Be encouraged!

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Published: Sunday, 04 March 2018 22:35

Written by James Dean

How is your week going so far? After a time (or two) of encouragement together on Sunday the reality of Monday morning is something I'm all too aware of. Some weeks hit you head-on like a steam train.

I wanted to share a few more thoughts about opposition and suffering that we didn't have time to go into on Sunday and I hope you'll find them helpful.

Recognise that it will happen

Any honest reading of the Bible will tell you that Christians will face opposition and may suffer just for putting their faith in Jesus.

There are some preachers who would try to suggest that the Christian life should be sweetness and light and problem free. But if we were to do as they do and just ignore every verse that mentions suffering we'd end up with a Bible that is more hole-y than holy!

The Bible is completely honest about everything. It doesn't shy away from the truth of suffering, so neither should we. Christ himself promised that we would face it because he faced it.

¹⁴ I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. ¹⁵ I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one. (John 17:14-15)

Recognise that you are not alone

When we face opposition, the temptation is to batten down the hatches and ride out the storm alone. However, while the idea of isolating ourselves like this seems the easiest option, Christians aren't called to tough it out alone. This is one of the reassuring parts of being a member of a local church: encouragement, prayer support and practical love. Hebrews 10:24-25 reminds us to meet together more often, not less, as we near Christ's return:

²⁴ And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, ²⁵ not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. (Hebrews 10:24-25)

Meaningful membership only works when we draw together and spend time with each other. Make it your week's priority to come together on Sundays and midweek at a life group if you possibly can.

Recognise that Jesus has been there before you

Jesus knows what you are going through; he has suffered; he has known grief and he is sympathetic. He wasn't given the title, "man of sorrows" for nothing: 

Recognise that there is great reward for endurance

We need to go through suffering because it is from God and he intends to use it for our good, for his glory and he rewards those who endure:

³² But recall the former days when, after you were enlightened, you endured a hard struggle with sufferings, ³³ sometimes being publicly exposed to reproach and affliction, and sometimes being partners with those so treated. ³⁴ For you had compassion on those in prison, and you joyfully accepted the plundering of your property, since you knew that you yourselves had a better possession and an abiding one. ³⁵ Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. ³⁶ For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised. (Hebrews 10:32-36)

What is a good response to opposition and suffering?

• Immerse yourself in the Bible and in good, biblical teaching. If you want to think more about this please listen (or listen again) to this sermon from 1 Peter 3:8-22..
   
• Pray for each other. This is one of the key reasons we've got the life groups in place. If you've not yet joined one, please do! Speak with Phil or me and we'll help you find one that's easiest for you to join.
   
• Another great response is to turn your focus away from your own situation and to pray for others. You can also pray for Christians around the world who suffer daily for their faith in Jesus. I've included links below to both Barnabas Fund and Open Doors with some suggestions of how you can start to use the information they provide.