TOPIC: HOW DO YOU HANDLE OPPOSITION FROM FAMILY AND CLOSE FRIENDS?
Bible Reading: Nehemiah 4-6; Acts 2:14-47
“And when his friends heard of it, they went out to lay hold on him: for they said, He is beside himself.” – Mark 3:21
Believers with zeal in the work of God, must expect hinderances, both from the hatred of enemies, and mistaken affections of friends, and need to guard against both.
Jesus constantly faced the rejection of the religious and political leaders of his days, and in a way their hatred of Jesus made sense. He actually threatened their status quo. Undoubtedly, it was far more painful and challenging for Jesus to deal with the way His own people rejected Him. It is not easy to be really misunderstood, as you are trying to walk with God oppositions begin to arise even from the closest people around you, coming from family and friends as the Lord said, ‘a man’s enemies will be those in his own home’ Matthew 10:36 (KJV)
Sometimes, those people who are the most difficult for us to reach with the gospel of Jesus can be found in our own families. We are not alone in that challenge. The early Christians found themselves in difficult family situations and most comforting of all is the realization that Jesus spent much of his ministry being misunderstood by his own family, many of whom would not believe in him until after his death and resurrection. Therefore let’s not be discouraged; instead, let’s go to the Lord and ask him to lead us and show us how to minister, serve, and respect those around us so that we can reach them with God’s grace for the salvation of their souls and becoming a blessing within. “To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.” – 1 Corinthians 9:22 (KJV)
Prayer: Father, give me the wisdom, patience, and character I need to reachout to souls, especially within family and friends, in Jesus’ name.
Pastor Alfred Samuel