Defeated: A coming to naught; frustration:

Yep. That is exactly how I feel today. Defeated. I’ve asked myself the age old question Why do bad things happen to good people? Sometimes you face things in life that don’t make sense at all.

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
James 1:2-4

It’s so easy to look at a trial in your life and say Really God? Why me?. Guilty as charged right here. With everything else that has gone on the past few months, I have asked this a lot the past few days. But I can look back at the trials I’ve endured and I can honestly view them as an opportunity that was given to me to draw closer to God than ever before. So why is it so hard to see a struggle as that opportunity when you are in the middle of it?



It’s not easy to withstand being persecuted for doing the right thing. Eventually, you will talk yourself into blaming yourself for the trial you are enduring. The devil wants you to blame yourself–that’s when you begin to feel that d word–defeated. Of course in the middle of a struggle, there are people who don’t agree with your decisions. Sometimes, they are angry with you. It’s hard enough to ignore unkind words once or twice, but when someone is badgering you constantly, it’s almost impossible to ignore, especially when you are already in the middle of a difficult situation.Remember the word that I said to you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.
John 15:20 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.
2 Corinthians 12:10

Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.
1 Peter 4:16 

I found this verse while reading today, and it has been an incredible comfort to me–

Truthful words stand the test of time, but lies are soon exposed.
Proverbs 12:19


This was a great reminder to me that the truth always prevails–so I will cling to it. 

Here is another reminder God gave me today that I seriously needed.

“Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.”
Romans 12:14

“Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath;
for it is written, Vengeance is Mine, I will repay, says the Lord. Therefore if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.”
Romans 12:17-20

“But I say to you, love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you in order that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. “For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax-gatherers do the same?
Matthew 5:44-46

When people persecute us, it is SO easy to retaliate or try to “get even”, but that is not what we are called to do. The phrase “Kill em with kindness” comes to mind. When people wrong us, we are to love them, to be kind to them, meet their needs, and pray for them. That’s hard, but in the end so rewarding. It’s hard to be angry at someone when you are praying for them. It’s a lot easier to truly forgive someone when you are praying for them.

I want to share a song that has brought me a lot of comfort today because of the incredible message it brings–

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