By: Alisha Headley
“If the world hated you, keep in mind that it hated me first.” - John 15:18
Most of our fears come from the enemy. He loves to instill fear into us so we will stay stuck, unable to move forward in the promises God has for us. Satan wants us to be unable to live out our calling. For our enemy roams the earth, “prowling around like a roaring lion just seeking someone to devour” (I Peter 5:8).
It takes bravery to recognize your fears and continue moving where God is leading you. Jesus was brave. He had to face adversity, accusation, and affliction as he shared the truth of the Gospel. He left his family to spread the good news of the Kingdom of God. He was brave when everyone around him hated him, leaving him and betraying him.
Today’s Bible verse reminds us that we will be hated as we are “set apart and chosen” (Deuteronomy 14:2) and as we are called to be his disciples. But Jesus shows us what bravery looks like. We can persevere through our fears, the attacks of the enemy, and opposition from anyone who hates us and denies us just, as Jesus persevered.
1 John 4:4 encourages with the truth of “greater is He who is in me, than he who is of the world.” The world may hate us. The world may spit on us for our faith, judge us for our values, and criticize us for our decisions in following Christ. But we know that a man in the flesh, our Savior was brave enough to walk this earth before us. And the same Spirit He had, we have inside us, so that us too, can be brave like Jesus.
Your Strength is from the Lord, inspirational image
Let’s step out, perhaps with fear on every corner, but trusting that God has gone before us. We can follow in His footsteps and be brave just as He was.
Dear God,
Thank you for leaving us with the Bible, which is “God-breathed” (2 Timothy 3:16) directly by you. Thank you that we have countless stories to read in the Bible of Jesus being brave. Thank you for sending your Son, who lead the way as our greatest example of what it means to advance the Kingdom even if we are hated for it.
We ask that you would give us courage to step out in faith in what you’ve called us to do. We ask that you would encourage us along this journey of being a chosen disciple for you. We ask that when those around us question us or discourage us, that you would give us confidence in you. Remind us that our strength comes from you, and your “power is made perfect in our weakness, that when we are weak, we are made strong through you.” (2 Corinthians 12:9)
We need you and can’t do this without you. Thank you that we don’t have to be strong because that’s your job. Our job is to rely on your strength to get us from one task to the next. We ask for your guidance and direction and thank you for everlasting provision.
In Jesus’ Name amen.