As I continue to have my daily quiet times, I have noticed that life gets more difficult. Not just running into more difficult people, but more difficult situations as well. The fact is that often, God allows these things to happen in your life to test your faithfulness. Just like a UFC match reveals how skilled a fighter truly is, so do trials reveal how strong a believer's faith is. Matthew 5:10 says the following:
"Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."
This clearly states that those who are persecuted for following Christ will receive an eternal inheritance. However, there is one important caveat: it has to be for His sake. Being ridiculed for walking around in neon boas and singing Justin Bieber songs at the top of your lungs does not count. Neither are you being persecuted for His sake if your boss fires you for always being late, if your spouse files for divorce because she caught you in bed with a stripper, or if you are arrested for "borrowing" your neighbor's Mustang for a joy ride. It only counts if you are living for Christ and behaving in an ethical manner. Regarding things such as wearing boas and music tastes, it's okay to be yourself. Just be aware that having someone snicker at your eccentricities doesn't guarantee you a larger mansion beyond the pearly gates.
