How can I deal with feelings of embarrassment when people make fun of my faith?

Mark 8:34-38Then, calling the crowd to join his disciples, he [Jesus] said, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake and for the sake of the Good News, you will save it. And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul? If anyone is ashamed of me and my message in these adulterous and sinful days, the Son of Man will be ashamed of that person when he returns in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.”

When we are ridiculed for believing in and following Christ, we can feel embarrassed because we want to fit in with other people. And we may be tempted to respond with an insult or other angry words. Remembering, however, that faith is a life and death matter can give us the strength not only to stand up for our faith but to call others to the joy of following Jesus.

Romans 1:16-17I [Paul] am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes—the Jew first and also the Gentile. This Good News tells us how God makes us right in his sight. This is accomplished from start to finish by faith. As the Scriptures say, “It is through faith that a righteous person has life.”

Paul was not ashamed of the Good News because he knew that it alone holds the power to heal our relationship with God. Those who know Jesus know the secret to living forever—a right relationship with God by having faith in his Son, Jesus. Rather than embarrass us, this should empower us.

2 Timothy 1:7-8God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline. So never be ashamed to tell others about our Lord.

Sharing something with others can be difficult if we think we will be ridiculed for what we say. Still, God has given us what we need to be confident in our faith and to love others more than our reputation so that our embarrassment can be overshadowed by our joy for the Good News.