Have you ever wondered whether the hardship you are facing is a test or an attack? For the past three weeks, Pastor Brenda has been teaching a series of sermons titled “The Truth About Christian Suffering” and it’s an important topic. Jesus Himself warned the church that there will be seasons of persecution: “I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace. In the world you have trouble and suffering but take courage — I have conquered the world” (John 16:33 NET).
Ten years ago, my family and I took a young girl into our family because she had suffered much abuse and lived in deplorable conditions. There were many nights I sat holding her as she cried, not understanding why her life was one fraught with pain. One day while driving to the grocery store, she asked me, “Momma, if God loved me so much, why did He give me the parents I have and not you and dad?” As I quickly prayed on the inside, the Holy Spirit gave me the most beautiful explanation. He said, “I didn’t give her those parents, I created them before the foundations of the earth were laid. They were created in my perfection, but then sin entered the world, and they chose to go the way of the flesh, but because of My great love for her, I gave her you and her new daddy as my plan of redemption.” What a beautiful God we serve! He wasn’t the One who caused her life to be one of much persecution, her parents did, but God overcame their abusive acts with His love and compassion in a very tangible way by giving her a whole new family to love and care for her.
In the book of John, when the disciples asked Jesus why a man was blind, Jesus said, “You’re asking the wrong question. You’re looking for someone to blame. There is no such cause-effect here. Look instead for what God can do” (John 9:3 MSG). While God is sovereign, He doesn’t cause abuse or evil, but He works redemptively through broken circumstances.
The Word of God also talks about seasons of testing in James 1:12 (NIV) which says, “Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.” The Bible is full of stories of people who have gone through seasons of testing such as Abraham, Moses, the Israelites, and Jesus as He was led into the wilderness for 40 days before He started His earthly ministry.
How do you know the difference between persecution and testing? It’s very simple, you will always be given a choice whether to walk through a test or not. All these people were given a choice to stay where they were or to follow God and do His will no matter what the cost. Persecution, however, is something you would never knowingly choose for yourself. It may come because of poor choices, either on your part or because of someone else’s. A smoker can’t blame the devil for the lung cancer no more than a gambler can blame him for being in debt, but in either situation, if the smoker or the gambler turn their faces toward God and repent, He is faithful to forgive and bring restoration.
If persecution has come by way of someone else’s actions, just like my daughter experienced, there will always be a plan of redemption to help you overcome it. Persecution also comes because the devil is fighting to stop the plan of God inside of you, but keep in mind 1 John 4:4 (NIV) which says: “You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.”
Are you in a season of testing or persecution? No matter which, know this: God sees you, is with you, and will redeem it all for His glory!
Candi Jones is a staff member of Lord of Hosts Church.
