Fresh Mannaby Pastor Tim BurtJulie had been a Christian for several years, but nothing prepared her for what happened in her own home. Her younger sister, who had always been close to her, suddenly became cold and distant after Julie started talking about her faith.At first, it was just dismissive remarks. “Oh, that Jesus stuff again?” her sister would say with an eye-roll. Then it turned into outright hostility.One day, at a family gathering, her sister snapped. “You’re always talking about your perfect little Christian life—do you think you’re better than the rest of us?”Julie was stunned. She had never said anything judgmental, but just the fact that she had changed—stopped drinking, started praying, and was vocal about her love for Christ—made her sister feel convicted. The tension between them grew.Julie wanted to defend herself, to remind her sister of all the good memories they had together. She wanted to snap back. But she knew that wouldn’t reflect Christ. Instead, she remembered Jesus’ words, “But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” (Matthew 5:44, NIV) It wasn't that she thought her sister was her enemy on any level. Just that her sister was seeing her in a negative way. That hurt! That night, she prayed for her sister, asking God to soften her heart.Loving those who hurt us through rejection is a part of the suffering that Jesus endured. Losing earthly relationships is painful, but Jesus promised that whatever we give up for His sake will be restored. Julie came across this scripture that brought her peace, “Truly I tell you,” Jesus replied, “no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age: homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields—along with persecutions—and in the age to come eternal life.” (Mark 10:29-30, NIV)When we choose Christ, it sometimes means losing relationships. Not because we reject others, but because they reject us. That hurts. It's painful. We suffer. But God does return to us what we've lost or given up for Him with something beautiful! He provides new family—new relationships in His people, the church, and gives us spiritual brothers and sisters who encourage and strengthen us, and who we do life together with! And even greater than that, He promises eternal life.Loving those who reject us is one of the hardest things we will ever do. We want to defend ourselves, prove them wrong, or shut them up or out, but Jesus tells us to respond differently. “Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” (Romans 12:17-18, NIV) These words need to be our anchor in rejection and persecution. We must love and pray—not fight hatred with hatred.Persecution is inevitable, but God rewards those who endure for Christ. “In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.” (2 Timothy 3:12, NIV) And Jesus reassures us, “Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5:10, NIV)Suffering for Christ isn’t just about enduring persecution—it’s about growing in character through attacks of Satan against our lives. Paul reminds us, “We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation.” (Romans 5:3-4, NLT) When you know that you have Satan as an enemy of your soul and not God, then you'll learn to resist Satan and his attacks against your life through prayer, thanking God for His grace and strength to get through them. When we choose love over anger, patience over frustration, and trust in God's grace to help us though faith and prayer, we will be transformed by God—becoming more like Jesus.No one loves suffering! It isn't that we are to love suffering. We are exhorted to become stronger instead of destroyed, through our faith and trust in God. “Dear friends, don’t be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you. Instead, be very glad—for these trials make you partners with Christ in his suffering, so that you will have the wonderful joy of seeing his glory when it is revealed to all the world.” (1 Peter 4:12-13, NLT)What we suffer now will be nothing compared to the glory we will experience in eternity. God is watching, and He will honor every act of faithfulness. “So be strong and courageous, all you who put your hope in the Lord!” (Psalm 31:24, NLT)Suffering for Christ means choosing to love even when rejected, and to have faith when it feels like the world is collapsing around you. Every time you respond in love instead of anger, every time you keep sharing Christ even when it’s hard, every time you have faith in God when it looks like He's not there—God sees it, and He will reward you. It will help you become a beautiful warrior for Christ.1 Peter 5:10 ESV "And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you."In His love,Pastor Tim Burt
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