Between You And God #21

Dear God, Sometimes I get picked on for my beliefs. How can I stop hurting about this?

When you’re a nice and good person, it can be a shock to discover that there are some people around you who don’t like you. Why wouldn’t they be kind? Mind their own business? Leave you alone?

In Egypt, there are very few Christians, and they aren’t thought of very highly. What do most of them do for a job? Pick up the garbage that no one else will touch. They used to own garbage-eating pigs that other Egyptians believed were dirty. But owning those pigs allowed Christians to make enough money for a place to live and food to eat. A few years ago, a sickness broke out that people mistakenly blamed on those pigs. In a panic, the Egyptian government killed those pigs. Then, many Christians didn’t have any way at all to earn money. Their neighbors still didn’t like them, and the garbage piled up.

All around the world, there are Christians who are looked down on for their faith in Christ. Many suffer in little ways, like being made fun of or left out, and a few, like the Egyptian Christians, suffer in big ways, like losing their homes and families. Jesus tells us that it’s not you they don’t like; it’s him. And your brothers and sisters around the world feel that too. Knowing this won’t make people like you. But understanding that all Christians sometimes get picked on for their beliefs helps you know that you’re not alone.

And Jesus is with you. He draws near to his own when others are pushing them away.

How about You?

Has anyone ever made fun of you, or left you out, or teased you for your beliefs? Did you feel alone in that moment? . . . Are you alone?

God Says . . .

Be strong in your faith. Remember that your Christian brothers and sisters all over the world are going through the same kind of suffering you are. 1 Peter 5:9