Day 9: Smile Through Adversity

"Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified." 1 Peter 4:12-14

Being happy when everything falls apart seems like a psychotic process to serious situations. If we were to see someone burning at the stake for confessing Christ and he was singing during it, we would think that this person was insane. But this is exactly the way in which many martyrs of the faith is seen portrayed in their last moments. They are singing and praising God. In fact, Christ while dying on the cross showed compassion and love to those that were literally torturing Him. Saying in Luke 23:34 "Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots."

There was a Christian man who was brought before the king for what they considered "unlawful" by believing in Christ. The king was willing to let him go if he recanted his statements of Christ and give up Christianity, but this man would not do it. The kings response was "If you don't do it, I will banish you." but the Christian was quick with a response "you can't banish me from Christ, for He says He will never leave me nor forsake me." The king replied "Well I will confiscate your property and take it all from you." the Christian could not be moved, replying "My treasures are laid up on high; you cannot get them." Of course it made the king angry and shot back "I will kill you!" but the Christian, in his faith in Christ said "Well I have been dead for forty years; I have been dead with Christ, dead to the world, and my life is hid with Christ in God, and you cannot touch it."

There are many things in this life that people can try to take away from you, but when you have such a love and leniency on Christ, you don't have to worry about what the world can take. The world will disappear but eternity lasts forever (Matthew 24:35). Set your treasures in Heaven (Matthew 6:19), and you can be happy even through life threatening tribulations.