persecution

persecution.
it's not something we think of a lot in the US. but it's happening all over the world right NOW. i read somewhere that there are more Christians being persecuted NOW than in all of history combined! and our country, with all its political correctness and so-called 'freedoms', is headed in that same direction of hating true Christianity.
i get a magazine called 'Voice of the Martyrs' (find them at www.persecution.com), which spreads the news of the persecuted church and reminds us to pray. it's hard to imagine that there are Christians getting their eyes gouged out and their fingernails ripped off in places like Afghanistan and Indonesia, while i'm sitting here wrapped in my warm blanket typing on my keyboard.

persecution.
i've known about it all my life, partly having grown up in Nigeria, a place of religious extremes, where Muslims can be riled to violence at any moment. and i've always been an avid reader of books on the Jewish plight during World War II, amazed at the courage of ordinary people during a time of such rabid persecution and torture...
and i've always hoped that, if i were called to be persecuted, i would be strong, that i would stand up for God's name, no matter what.
but what do i really know of pain? i've never had a broken bone, i haven't thrown up since 7th grade, i've never been in a fist fight, i get nervous when i think God is calling me to speak to someone and sometimes i even chicken out when the worst i fear is rejection!!!
what do i really know of being tortured? yesterday, while shopping for work, i (briefly and barely) smashed my finger under a carton of apple juice in the grocery cart. it hurt so badly that all the neighboring fingers were tingling and, for a second, i felt slightly sick to my stomach! no blood, no bruise so far, though it still hurts... and i thought of the persecuted pastors getting their nails ripped off for just BELIEVING in Jesus, and thought, could i handle it??!
i think i'm realizing that the answer is a resounding NO! I could never take it. but God's not counting on ME to take it, He promised that HE will be my strength in times of need.
if the time comes and i get taken away from my family, just for believing, or if someone is killed in front of me and i am forced to watch, i pray that i have the courage to trust wholeheartedly in JESUS to live through me at that moment. He's the One who, amidst the horrid persecution of suffocating while hanging by nails in his hands and feet on the cross, used His precious breath to ask God to forgive those who had put Him there.
may i do the same, dear Lord!!!

"My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever." Psalm 73:26

"He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, 'He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom i trust.'" Psalm 91:1-2

"For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain." Philippians 1:21

"'Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.'" Joshua 1:9

"But the Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen and protect you from the evil one." 2 Thessalonians 3:3

"But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God.
To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in His steps." 1 Peter 2:20-21