You, however, know all about my teaching, my way of life, my purpose, faith, patience, love, endurance, persecutions, sufferings—what kinds of things happened to me in Antioch, Iconium and Lystra, the persecutions I endured. Yet the Lord rescued me from all of them.
(2 Tim. 3:10-11)

Persecution comes through people…sometimes through those we love the most, but despite how it looks, those people are not the source of you problem;

According to Mark 4, it's Satan himself who stirs up persecution. It's one of the strategies he uses to steal God's promises out of your heart.

So when persecution comes your way, don't get sidetracked by getting angry with the people involved. They aren't operating on their own. They're being driven by Satan's influence.

Instead, use the authority Jesus has given you and put Satan in his place. Then pray for the people he has been using, that they'll be free to know the truth.

Once you understand who the real enemy is, and pray accordingly, the next thing God says to do is this: Continue doing good. "For it is God's will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish men" (1 Peter 2:15).

Your mission in life isn't to argue. You're not called to defend your position or your name when someone talks about you behind you back. Just leave all that in God's hands and continue doing what God has called you to do.

That's what Jesus did. He didn't quit. When He was hated, He didn't start hating back. He just kept right on preaching the good news, healing the sick and rescuing those captive to sin. He kept right on walking in success!

I know it's tough to be quiet in hard times, but you can do it if you're confident that God will ultimately rescue you. That's why Paul was able to live so triumphantly. In 2 Timothy 3:11, he said God rescued him from all of his persecutions!

We're not in this alone! Right in the middle of persecution, God is there with us. So trust in Him. Listen to what He says. Obey Him when it seems like all hell has broken loose. He'll rescue you from those persecutions—not just some of them, but all of them!

Backup: Matthew 5:10-16
Download: 2 Samuel 22-23; 2 Corinthians 10
Voice Activate: The Lord rescues me from all my persecutions. 2 Timothy 3:11

Excerpt permission granted by
Eagle Mountain International Church, Inc.
aka:  Kenneth Copeland Ministries