Light of the World

Posted in real life, relationships by

My heart has been heavy since yesterday at church. We had several kids in junior church share what it is like to be picked on and to grow up without fathers and mothers. Listening to some of the horrible things these kids have gone through breaks my heart. It also reaffirms my calling for this blog. Life doesn’t always deal the best cards. Life can be cruel and very hard. We have a God who can take on the burdens of our lives and heal our broken hearts. We have to remember that no matter what people say about us or what happens in life, if we are Christians, we are advocates of Christ. How we handle situations can make or break others thoughts about Christians. I’ve been guilty of flying off the handle when someone has been mean to me or says something mean to me. I have to remember that most people who make fun of others and are bullies are the most insecure and unhappy people.

Matthew 5:3-16 “Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. 5 Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. 6 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. 7 Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. 8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. 9 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. 10 Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. 12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you. 13 Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. 14Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. 15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. 16  Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.“

Those verses talk about a lot of good stuff. Verses 10 & 11 say Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake; for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.

Persecute– to harass or punish in a manner designed to injure, grieve, or afflict; specifically : to cause to suffer because of belief; to annoy with persistent or urgent approaches (as attacks, pleas, or importunities)

Revile– to subject to verbal abuse; to use abusive language

Jesus says that those who get made fun of or are harassed, punished, or suffer for his name sake are blessed and theirs is the kingdom of God. It’s not easy to remember when you are being made fun of or pushed around that God is on your side and that you are blessed. I have learned that the best thing you can do when you get made fun of or pushed around, is to pray for the person who is bothering you and to forgive them. That is not easy to do trust me. I have learned that when you carry around anger and hate for someone else it eats you alive. Being angry and hating someone doesn’t do anything but hurt you.
 
Matthew 5 is full of a lot of good stuff! Verse 43-46 “Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. 44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; 45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and the unjust. 46 For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans do the same?”
 
What does Jesus say in the verses above? Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you. This is not easy. Remember that as a Christian, your reward is in Heaven and is a greater reward than any reward on earth. Focus on God. Let him be your guide. Pray for those who make fun of you and pick on you. As I have gotten older, I have started feeling sorry for people who make fun of me and are mean to me. I wonder what has happened to them in life that has made them that way. The more you pray for the people who make fun of you the easy it is to endure it.
 
If someone is bullying you at school and physically abusing you or mentally abusing you, please talk to a teacher, guidance counselor, pastor, parent or someone else you trust. I don’t want any child or person to be hurt. Another thing you can do is to tell the person bothering you to stop. If that doesn’t work and they continue or it gets worse, you need to get an adult involved.

Love in Christ,
Iva Mae

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