Today's Devotional

July 13, 2004

Subject:  Can't Play The Vic

Matthew 5:10 - "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.  Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you."

I was in a small group bible study led by our pastor awhile back and he was asking everyone which, of several identified categories they most felt like they fit into.  The first question he asked was, "how many of you feel like you're constantly being persecuted?"  I quickly raised my hand.  My pastor's question came to mind the other day when I was talking to a friend and I told her how things were going with me and she said, "whew..." in an exasperated tone, indicating that she was glad she wasn't me.  The reality is, everybody can say that about someone else's life so we might as well be content where we are.  

Of course, the other school of thought, which is quite prevalent even in the church community, is "the victim" mentality.  Yes, "they're always out to get me or they're always wronging me or they aren't giving me my share or things just always go wrong for me."   And even if all those things were true, my response to those statements would be, "so what?"  How do you respond to it?

I often feel like I'm under attack or persecution, but I know the verse above so it gives me a completely different outlook when things don't go my way.  Someone lies on me, hey "rejoice and be glad."  Someone cheats me out of something when I was being kind to them, the word says, "blessed are ye."   It's also great to know that I'm in good company on the persecution count because this is exactly what they did to the prophets.  

So today remember, it's not that people are out to get you, it's just that God is out to bless you.  Change your view and don't play the vic. 

Carlen