Listen to Devotion

If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.

It hurts to be insulted. Don’t get me wrong. I’m not talking about the collective teasing and ribbing that take place among people who generally get along with each other. I’m talking about that moment when someone crosses the line, takes part of what you are, and holds it up for contempt. That hurts.

When Christians are insulted because of their beliefs, they should not be surprised. Perhaps it’s the co-worker who dismisses you for being stupid and naïve. Perhaps it’s the schoolmate who goes out of her way to flaunt something sinful in front of you. Perhaps it’s the guy down at the gym who picks religious fights for fun. Perhaps it’s the family member who rolls her eyes at you and your “narrow” view of the world. Sure, you can usually ride the waves and take the cutting remarks in stride. However, there are times when it becomes overwhelming. There are moments when the insults truly hurt.

When that happens, your Lord wants you to remember that such insults mark you as someone he has blessed. Oh, sure, it doesn’t feel like a blessing. But that’s okay, because the truth remains that those insults identify you as someone the Holy Spirit has brought into God’s family, someone surrounded by God’s promises, someone embraced by full forgiveness through faith in Jesus.

So let the insults come. Let the eyes roll. Let the snickers and the sneers do their worst. Jesus says that they serve as a reminder that you belong to him. When we keep that in mind, then such insults are not so bad after all.

Lord Jesus, when the insults come to attack my faith, empower me by your Spirit to remember that such insults mark me as someone blessed by you. In difficult moments, give me peace of mind and heart. Amen.

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All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.