This may seem very strange.  How can anyone be happy, contented, joyful and blessed when they are being persecuted and insulted?  Jesus said that persecution is a normal part of being in His kingdom: "Remember what I told you: 'A servant is not greater than his master.'  If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also.  If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also." (John 15:20)

Persecution is not a happy event in itself, but joy comes in looking beyond the suffering to God’s glorious reward (Hebrews 12:2).  Jesus did not enjoy the prospect of pain (Matthew 26:39), but He suffered it [the word ‘suffer’ originally meant ‘allow’] because it was the only way to fulfil the Father’s will and to bring many children to share in His glory (Hebrews 2:10).  Like childbirth, the pain of persecution has a purpose; it is temporary and anticipates a joyful outcome (Galatians 4:19).

Persecution may be through physical violence, hateful words, slander, libel, loss of employment, social isolation, injustice, unfair discrimination against family members, imprisonment and even death. Our natural instincts to protect possessions, home, livelihood, family, health and future are threatened by persecution. But if hostility comes because we belong to Jesus, then He will give us confidence to see beyond the misery to the glory (2 Corinthians 12:10; Revelation 2:10).  Indeed, He commands us to rejoice – not because we enjoy ill-treatment but because we will receive the same reward as the prophets in the Bible.

Persecution is not new.  It has been going on ever since Cain was jealous of his brother's righteousness and killed Abel (Matthew 23:34-35).  It came to Jesus; and it will come to you at some point if you are a faithful witness.  2 Timothy 3:12 says, "In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted …".  So the question is not 'will I be persecuted?' but 'how will I respond to persecution?'  The command of Jesus is to rejoice, and be glad that you have been counted worthy of suffering for His Name (Acts 5:41) and that He will reward you.  Strengthen your own heart in this and encourage others.