No Need to Panic

When I saw this statue, of Joan of Arc, in a church in Nice, I have to admit I chuckled, because  I’d never seen a saint portrayed in this manner before.  It was almost as if she was saying, “Oh no, what have I gotten myself into?”, as she contemplates Jesus’ crucifixion, and the death of the saints before her, panic is literally etched in her face.  Haven’t we all, at one time or another, felt this same way, especially in our life with Christ?   We lament that there is no way we can attain the lofty, holy status of one of the martyrs, let alone our Savior, and what if I have to suffer for my faith.

The earliest church members felt that to die for the cause of Christ was noble indeed.  To follow in the footsteps of our Lord, even to death, was to truly embrace what he accomplished for us on the cross, to personally share in his suffering.  There are numerous scriptures that point out the value in suffering.  “Now if we are children, then we are heirs--heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.” Romans 8:17. “ I want to know Christ--yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death…” Philippians 3:10. And, “Instead, be very glad--for these trials make you partners with Christ in his suffering, so that you will have the wonderful joy of seeing his glory when it is revealed to all the world.” 1 Peter 4:13.

That’s not to say that God judges us on how much, or how well we stand up to hardships.  Never forget, our righteousness comes through Christ, and his grace-giving sacrifice, nothing else is necessary.  Just because we are saved by faith doesn’t preclude that we will never suffer, and that’s the message these passages convey.  How we handle persecution, ridicule and other forms of suffering needn’t send us into panic mode.  When our faith is firmly rooted in his word, and nourished by prayer, fellowship and study, we, strengthened by the Holy Spirit within us, can take on any foe and emerge victorious.

There have been over 70 million Christian martyrs (the word means witness) since the church began. Historians tell us that in the last century than there have been more than in all the previous years combined. It is thought that some 400 people are martyred daily, believe it or not!  Most of us, here in the USA, will probably never have to face the cross, firing squad or be burned at the stake, although some of you living in hostile-to-Christ countries might.  Regardless of where we live, we will eventually face some kind of persecution fires.  Be prepared, not fearful! “But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. "Do not fear their threats; do not be frightened." 1 Peter 3:14.