Coping with Harassment

Coping with Harassment (from www.Licc.org.uk)

Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering… But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ. 1 Peter 4:12,13 

As far as we know the trials of these churches were not full-scale persecution by the Roman authorities: that came later. They were experiencing the usual harassments of officials, neighbours, pagan husbands and slave-masters, that may well have been exacerbated by suspicion of their new life-changing faith. Being kinder and more friendly than usual can bring, not gratitude, but fear of dark motives and hidden agendas.

Peter echoes the words of Jesus as he sets out the Christian response to such trials and harassment. Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. (3:9) Jesus said, ‘Love your enemies, bless those who curse you, pray for those who ill-treat you.’

Not many of us go through life without meeting some kind of bullying and harassment; old or young, in the family, at work or school, it happens, but not always simply because we are Christians. Whatever the reason, it is hard to want the best for those who bully and insult us. Supposing our response of blessing really works! But resentment and an unforgiving spirit can eat away at our own happiness. In the end the Lord’s blessing comes to those who allow him to free them from past resentments and to prepare them to meet today’s bullies with grace. Perhaps we can even begin to feel sorry for those whose nastiness may destroy their own peace of mind.

In a society where Christianity is not a new faith, but one that many assume has been tried and found wanting, it is hard to cope with the incredulity and mild distaste when we come clean about our commitment to Christ. How should we respond to this kind of harassment? Where do we begin with those who incredulously assume we believe in miracles, think someone came back from the dead, possibly accept a six day creation, think sex is for marriage only, etc.? Perhaps we simply have to be prepared for a long-term commitment to praying a blessing on them, rather than always leaping in to put them right.

Margaret Killingray