Yaba Baptist Church: Cup Of Faith Daily Devotional 30 November 2022 – How To Respond To Ridicule
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TOPIC: How To Respond To Ridicule
BIBLE TEXT: “In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.” – 2 Timothy 3:12
In the previous editions, we pointed out the fact that life is full of God-given opportunities but with every opportunity, there will always be opposition, especially in today’s increasingly divided culture. We equally identified ridicule as one of the means by which people oppose and obstruct the way of progress. We were able to identify three ways people will try to oppose you with ridicule as you pursue a plan God has put on your heart.
How then do you respond to criticism, ridicule, and opposition? What do you do when people oppose you? In today’s text, the Bible reveals and confirms that anyone who wants to live right will definitely face opposition and persecution. When faced with persecution, what should be the right attitude? This is not far-fetched.
Also Read: Open Heaven 30 November 2022 – Dealing With Destiny Killers III
The first thing is to tell God how you really feel. When people pull and put you down for doing great things, don’t get back at them. Instead, talk it out with God and be honest with Him. Don’t hide your hurt. Tell God exactly what and how you feel about the whole issue. Prayer is a great stress reliever when you feel ridiculed and under attack. Nehemiah’s habit was to always pray first. Notice how honest he was as he prayed in Nehemiah 4:4-5, saying: “Hear us, our God, for we are being mocked. May their scoffing fall back on their own heads, and may they themselves become captives in a foreign land! Do not ignore their guilt . . . for they have provoked you to anger here in front of the builders’” (NLT). God doesn’t want you to tell him what you think He wants to hear. When you’re criticized, opposed, demeaned, or demoralized, God wants to hear all about it, and that includes how much it upsets you.
The second thing is to confidently declare and express your trust in God. Whenever people oppose you for following God’s will, reaffirm what He has told you to do and commit to following him. When you act on God’s orders, you’re not trusting in yourself; you’re trusting in the Almighty God. The greater the opposition in your life, the more you need to depend on God. When his opponents ridiculed him, Nehemiah confidently stated his trust in God saying: “The God of heaven will help us succeed. We, his servants, will start rebuilding this wall. But you have no share, legal right, or historic claim in Jerusalem” (Nehemiah 2:20 NLT).
Beloved of God, the opposition can never stop God’s work in your life unless you approve of it. When critics put you down, don’t stoop to their level. Don’t retaliate. Instead, like Nehemiah, relate it to God and be honest with Him about how you really feel. Say with confidence, “The God of heaven will help me succeed.” and so shall it be.
PROPHETIC PRAYER
I pray for you today:
- May the Lord God of heaven give you success in the name of Jesus.
- Amidst odds and difficulties, you shall make progress
- Those who mock you shall celebrate you
- May the Lord listen to your plea on the day of trouble
- He will give you attention on the day of need.
So shall it be in Jesus’ name. Amen
Have a great day.
CHRIST IS THE ANSWER.
Yours in Christ,
Revd Dr. Bayo Sola Aremu
Church pastor
Yaba Baptist Church
Sabo-Yaba, Lagos
If you just prayed the prayer of salvation online please send your testimonies and prayer request to yababaptist@yahoo.com, +234 1 291 3962, +234 706 469 0938.
