Persecution: My Story

I recently came across a devotional about “Battles and Blessings”. I didn’t understand it at first but when I actually thought about it, the author made a profound point. When we go through persecutions, trials and battles, it is difficult to accept and believe that it will eventually come to an end. Our faith waivers in the midst of trials and doubts overshadow our hearts. When this happens I always remember James 1:2-4 (KJV) : My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.

This bible verse has impacted my life so much. I come from a Hindu background and face persecution on a daily basis. When we are faced with persecution, sometimes it is difficult to grasp how passages like James 1:2-4 can work in our lives. However, I have learned to patiently wait on God and take comfort in the fact that after the winter season, there will always be a season of summer. After a season of hardship and troubles, a season of happiness and blessings will always follow.

The most important lesson we can learn about life, hardship and persecution is to “start with God”. God gives an extra and special kind of help and grace that enables us to maneuver tough battles as we go through seasons of persecution.

I felt pressured to take back my decision to follow Christ for the sake of my parents. However, I equally felt like someone was snatching me away from the love of my life (Jesus), and it hurt deeply.

I have had moments where I was broken and completely dependent on God to see me through the persecution I faced. The Lord helped me and how He did it blew my mind. As I said earlier, I grew up in a Hindu family and we participated in a lot of festivals during which we worshipped Idols. Diwali is the biggest festival that Hindu families really look forward to. When I gave my life to Christ, the time came for the celebration of Diwali but I told my family that I would not be participating. This did not go down well with my parents and caused chaos in my family. A couple of days later, my mum called me while I was on my way to college on the bus. She reminded me how they have always taken care of me, fed me, loved me, sacrificed comfort to give me a better life, sponsored my education, and did their best to give me the whole world. I truly felt like I was an ungrateful and unthoughtful daughter. I felt pressured to take back my decision to follow Christ for the sake of my parents. However, I equally felt like someone was snatching me away from the love of my life (Jesus), and it hurt deeply. Tears rolled down my cheeks and I was desperately asking God for help. When I got down at the bus stop, my bus moved past and I saw the phrase “Matthews Bus” on the front header of the bus and a phone number at the back of the bus that started with “04”.  Immediately, I thought to myself, “Is God trying to tell me to open the bible?” I opened my bible to the book of Matthew Chapter 4. I was introduced to how Jesus was tempted.

1 Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2 After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. 3 The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.” 4 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’ 5 Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. 6 “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written: “‘He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’ 7 Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’ 8 Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. 9 “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.” 10 Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.

Jesus was tempted by the Devil after he fasted for forty days and forty nights. He had not eaten and was hungry but despite his physical state, He resisted the Devil’s temptation and overcame the lusts of the flesh. The devil tempted him with His most pressing need, but Jesus Christ refused to gratify his flesh. I could easily see and relate my situation to this bible passage. My decision to follow Christ threatened the needs of my flesh and my parents were tempting me with bread, comfort, and shelter. But Jesus said, “Man can’t live on bread alone but by every word of God”. This verse just soothed my pain.

The Devil tempted Jesus thrice and he was victorious each time. I was tempted to forsake Christ and return back to Hinduism because of the home and shelter my parents provided, the college fees they faithfully paid each year, the food and clothes they bought for me, and the list is endless. But when Jesus said “You must worship the Lord your God and serve only him”, I became certain that I am not on the wrong path. The Devil has tried to weaken my faith in Christ through persecution and temptation and sometimes I am overwhelmed by the feeling of guilt for hurting my parents with my decision. However, I feel strengthened because I am on the true and right path, everything else is a lie but God is true and real. (Romans 3:4).

For it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose. –Philippians 2:13

I’ll conclude with this final thought;  a key that is uncut never unlocks anything. All the ridges, peaks, and valleys of a key are created to unlock the most valuable thing. The ridges and valleys I have to go through for the sake of the gospel are designed to unlock the most value out of me for God’s purpose. I share my story to encourage everyone out there being persecuted, victimized and threatened because of their decision to follow Christ. God will work in you to will and act according to His good purpose. Don’t give up, don’t give in. Our stories and growth are in God’s hands, let His will be done.