NEVER MIND YOUR HATERS, GOD IS FOR YOU
(Luke 21:12-19)
We live in a world where we are
hated for nothing. You may not be loved by everyone. There's not even any way
you will be loved by all, no matter what.
The worst of it all is when you're hated by your own people for no just
cause. Sometimes, you suffer for being good. You think of how to make people
feel good, how to better their lot, but they're only concerned about your
downfall. They are wicked to you, they treat you unfairly, they persecute you.
You may be married into a family
where your in-laws have refused to appreciate your worth and whatever you do.
You may be working in an office where everyone is against you because of your
firmness on what is right. You may have been given a bad name by someone you
sacrificed for. You may be passing through hell in your ministry in the hands
of people you spend sleepless night thinking of how to make their situation
better. They may have frustrated your life; made you feel abandoned. Don't hate
yourself for the sake of such haters. The Lord Jesus is saying today that
"not a hair of your head will perish."
At the time of persecutions and
in the face of the trials and hatred of evil men, hear the will of God for
you: "This will be a time for you
to bear testimony. Settle it therefore in your minds, not to meditate
beforehand how to answer...you will be hated for my name's sake. But not a hair
of your head will perish. By your endurance you will gain your lives."
Don't stop living the life of
testimony. Keep bearing witness to the goodness of God in your life. Remain
positive. The haters want to make your life bitter. Say no to that if you want
to be better. God wants you to be the better version of yourself. Don't allow
the many hands being laid on you to pull you down. Feel the hand of God above
you, blessing you.
The most painful hatred and
persecution is when it is coming from your family. Bear it, endure it for the
sake of God. Don't give up, the love of God is greater than the hatred of men.
Let us Pray
O God, we are worried about the
too much hatred in the world. We find ourselves mediating on how to respond to
the challenges posed by forces persecuting us. We thank you for giving us the
way out and reassuring us that we are safe in your hands no matter what may
betide us. Bless and save us by your grace through Christ our Lord.
God bless your Wednesday (34th
Week, Ordinary Time)
Rev Fr Julian O Ekeh
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