give a cheer

Saturday February 5th, Matthew 5: 10"You're blessed when your commitment to God provokes persecution. The persecution drives you even deeper into God's kingdom. 11-12"Not only that—count yourselves blessed every time people put you down or throw you out or speak lies about you to discredit me. What it means is that the truth is too close for comfort and they are uncomfortable. You can be glad when that happens—give a cheer, even!—for though they don't like it, I do! And all heaven applauds. And know that you are in good company. My prophets and witnesses have always gotten into this kind of trouble. Things don’t always go to plan, even for a child of God. Remember even Christ was hung on a cross, as his followers we shouldn’t always expect crosses and medals of honor hung on us. But when things are going askew remember you are not alone and though others might not get it, if you are on God’s side (which is vastly different than thinking God is on your side) then you can always console yourself that you are at least planting seeds.