How can I deal with persecution?

There's something great about President's day...no school!

Alright, I still have my other post which I started on Saturday February 7 to continue. As I mentioned, I have many other posts to post about. I have many things I WANT to share with y'all, however, I never get the chance to get on and do it. That's why I'm happy about no school today!

OK, I left off on my other post here:

"Dude, look at them!"
"What, you have a problem with them?"
"No, but, look, they dress weird!"
"Oh, you have a problem with them wearing skirts? Huh, is that it?"
"No, I did not say that!"
"Who cares, just leave it!"

And then my final words were....To be continued.

Here now is going to be the continuing story. I was talking about the average style of youth these days. How they all dress the same, fix their hair the same way, and so forth. After that 1 minute conversation went on above which my friend and I overheard, she was literally speechless and quite angry too. I gave her the look which gives the impression, "Leave it!" In a church many wouldn't think conversations or situations occur such as this. Well, let me tell you, if you believe that, then you're wrong. Lets make things straight first, churches these days are different then they were back in the 18th century. Churches have changed. The youth come from all different backgrounds. When I heard those young guys speak about us in such a way, I wasn't ticked in anyway at all, I actually felt God with me and I had peace all over me. At that moment, my mind was made up not to get boiled about anything. Anyone could of said anything about me and it would of been fine. It was just a sign to me that anyone around us will persecute us. This normally is not me. I usually get angry fast and will go up to any and tell them. Well, God did a mighty work that night. I was thinking and just actually saying to myself, "God, you brought me here, I'm fine, and I won't dress nor act any other way then what I'm doing at the moment. You have told me to do this, if they want to condemn me, if they want to do it all, then fine. I'm going to act and dress according to your standards. Your standards are WAY higher than these guys, and most certainly than this world. I'm in this world Lord, but not of this world!"

Now, we can get persecuted in all ways. I have gone through it many times, sometimes it goes on every single day. However, you know why I don't mind it anymore, because it is showing me how I'm following my God more and more. Strangers are beginning to notice it. To me, that is a blessing. I have had a particular person once say, "I hate you!" Well, the normal human would strike back with harsh words, and fierce actions. Yes, I did that, but in the midst of my actions I realized what I was doing, it was as if the Lord pricked my heart right then and I immediately changed my attitude to a loving, kind, and spoke words of kindness. "Those who hate and persecute us: we endure it and return good for evil!" Wow, that is hard. Believe me. Literally, I would rather tell the person all the words in my mouth at the moment. Tell them everything evil I can think of. Although, what do you think that will do? It will just stir up more and more anger in the other and they will continue to fight back as well. This will go on and on, and on. It takes one to stop it with kind words. Instead of fighting back, try to calm the fight with calm words. This is hard, but with Christ nothing is impossible.

“… 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” (Matthew 5:44).

Hard, it's very, very hard! I have had people tell me, "Why do you act the way you do? Why do you dress the way you do? Why do you still love me when I hurt you? Why don't you have a boyfriend?" These things don't bother me, what bothers me is when I tell them my point and they come back mocking me over and over for doing the things I do. However, this is no reason to burn up and then continue from there. I have in the past walked away if they continue to just mock back. "Those who defame us and despitefully use us: we entreat and pray for!" What, how can I do that? I want to do all the bad to this person. They deserve all the hurtful words! No. No, they do not. We would not be showing our Christian attitude, our loving actions. I know, this is easier said then done. Ask God to give you a loving heart towards others. Give me a heart of compassion, oh God. I have said many bad things to certain people in the past, because they hurt me. I wanted to hurt them back. I shot back with words. How I want to go back to that person and ask for forgiveness. I pray to God and ask him to bring this person back into my life so that I may show how sorry I feel. I have learned to bless my enemies, and love those that persecute me. It doesn't always work that way. I'm still working on this. Many times, these people can be our siblings. We still need to reply with love.

“Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven” (Matthew 18:21–22).

Forever and ever. Let everyone persecute you. Let them all say wicked things against you. Only, you turn back with kind actions. If you hear others speak behind your back, don't think hurtful things, and imagine wicked actions. Pray to God to help you stay calm and only walk away or turn to the one who spoke hurtful words and speak with love.