Jesus assures us that if we choose to follow Him and obey His direction, the world will surely hate us. But although there will be people who are against us and what we believe, God may put some of them in our lives so He can use us to draw them closer to Him.

Jesus died because He wanted us — and we have to be willing to be wanted in a different way, for His sake. People hated Jesus for the truth that He spoke, and people may hate us for speaking about the difference that He’s made in our lives. But Jesus didn’t back down, even when it ultimately led Him to the cross, and we have to be prepared to sacrifice everything for Him.

There is no way to live a godly life and not face persecution as a result. In some cases, God saves us from being persecuted in the first place, and in other instances, He delivers us out of the persecution we’re already experiencing. Christians and non-Christians alike will all endure suffering in this life — the difference is that we have the power of God in us, and His presence with us, no matter what struggles we face.