Opposition

Everyone used by God had opposition- whether it was people or situations. Opposition is what is trying to get in the way of what God is doing for you. However, this is what comes with this lifestyle as a believer. You are going to suffer because Jesus suffered. We can ask “Why do bad things happen to good people?” But look at Jesus story, He was not a bad person -everything He did was good. He provided comfort, healing, salvation- yet they still beat, stoned and accused Him of wrong. If they did it to Jesus, what makes us better? We are not greater than Him. Since we are followers of Christ, that automatically makes us a target for the enemy. Of course he would much rather want us on the opposing side but greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world! (1 John 4:4)“These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”

‭‭(John‬ ‭16‬:‭33‬)

As stated before opposition can be by people or situations. We can look at some of the most influential people in scripture and their opposition- Moses and Pharoah, Moses and the disobedient children of Israel, David and Goliath, David and Saul, Job and his loss, Jonah fleeing from Gods commands, Paul and Silas, etc - it’s so many to name! It is all through the Bible of Gods appointed that had to deal with opposition from every side- whether it was from people or personal conflict. Even the nameless people that were ill, blind, death, mute, lame or demon possessed- those inflictions were their opposition and God healed them! “And his disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind? Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him”(John‬ ‭9‬:‭2‬-‭3‬). God will allow things to happen for His purpose- to show His glory.

What about the healings that don’t happen? Or why do good things happen for bad people? No one can understand why things happen the way do except God. Also, what He decides to let happen cannot be undone. Some of those things had to happen - life isn’t perfect or easy. Somethings happen so people can believe and trust in God. “For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it”(Romans‬ ‭8‬:‭24‬-‭25‬).At the end of it all, God is still a good Father.

Sometimes our own self can be opposition. We get in the way of what God is trying to do. He doesn’t need our help with anything. I am constantly reminded that obedience is better than sacrifice. We resist or disagree on how God wants to move in our life and cause more suffering than what we should really have. We have to stop and reevaluate how we are handling things. We have to look at the opposition from all angles- are we causing this or is it a divine cause?

Throughout it all “My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing”(James‬ ‭1‬:‭2‬-‭4‬). When we suffer for Christ, it’s a good thing! Even though it may not feel good, it’s for His greater good. Sometimes we mistake our trial season for complete opposition, but you never know what’s on the other side. It could be a miracle waiting to happen. Or healing and salvation. Someone else may even benefit from what you’re going through. Only God knows what is needed in your life. Embrace what you go through.

“But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you”(1 Peter‬ ‭5‬:‭10‬).