When You’re Insulted

If you are insulted because you bear the name of Christ, you will be blessed, for the glorious Spirit of God rests upon you.

1 Peter 4:14

INSULTS COME IN many forms. They can be subtle, like the grousing a coworker may do about you behind your back. Or at times, someone insults you to your face because of something you did badly: “You are such a loser.” “I think you are the lowest of the low.” “You are the epitome of stupidity. Get a life!”

Sometimes we have to deal with these kinds of confrontations. But what about insults you receive simply for being a Christian? “Oh, so you’re one of them? I suppose you think you’re perfect too?” “You’re a hypocrite just like the rest of them.” Or “Why don’t you take your Jesus and your Bible and throw them in the lake?”

But it can get worse. Some people will attack you where you’re most vulnerable. Say you’re a little sensitive about criticism; you take things personally—a harsh word or insult might send you into a depression, make you feel guilty, or cause you to feel incompetent.

How should you handle such insults? Peter offers us a great promise: when it happens to you, remember that it’s a moment when God’s glorious Spirit rests on you in a special way.