‘BELOVED, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that is taking place among you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you... Therefore, let those suffering in accordance with God’s will entrust their lives to a faithful creator, while continuing to do good.’ (1 Peter 4:12,19)
The overwhelming testimony of the Bible is that the Christian should expect opposition as we commit ourselves to following Jesus on Earth. The good news is that this opposition will frequently follow a consistent pattern, which ought to help us recognise it and resist it.
Discouragement is usually the first obstacle we face and it causes us to question what God has called us to do. Sometimes the sheer magnitude of the task facing us will cause us to take our eyes off the vision God originally gave us. Therefore, our antidote to discouragement is to rekindle the vision of what God has called us to do.
Intimidation will quickly follow, if discouragement doesn’t cause us to step off God’s path. Intimidation is an intensified form of discouragement and it aims to paralyse us with fear. Therefore, we resist it by recounting the promises of God to sustain us and fight for us. Yes, we need to stand firm but it’s God who gives us strength to do so.
Distraction is the final, most dangerous, form of opposition we face. We need wisdom to recognise the illegitimate distractions that will derail our efforts. Sometimes, we need the collective wisdom of trusted friends as we seek to discern how God might be leading us through life’s obstacles.
Discouragement, intimidation, distraction. We resist these with vision, trust, discernment. May God help us to stand firm in the face of opposition and challenges.
Kevin Prinsloo
Pastor, White River Community Church
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