Let's look to Joseph; his brothers were jealous and resentful of him! We see in Genesis 37 how they placed him in a pit with such hatred then sat around the campfire eating, scheming and plotting out their next move all the while they are quite pleased thinking they finally took care of their problem. They may have thought they got rid of Joseph, selling him off as a slave and telling their father he was killed by a wild animal, but God had bigger plans for Joseph!
Yes, His brothers did horrific things to him but God used it for good. Just think about how many years had passed acting as if Joseph was dead - they thought they would never hear from Joseph again! Then we see in Genesis 50:20 'But as for you, you thought evil against me (Joseph); but God meant it to good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive'
My friend, as a Christian you will be persecuted for your faith, unfortunately even your own family members will persecute you. Remember Christ himself was not liked in his household : Matthew 13:57 And they took offense at him. But Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his hometown and in his own household.”
Don't take it personal as we see in Ephesians 6:12 'For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.'
God has a Master plan for your life and will work through you as He did with Joseph. We just need to keep our faith and stand firm on your beliefs. Joseph is a wonderful example of how to live uprightly and faithful even when things don't seem to be going so well.
We need to trust God to protect us in times of persecution. It is better to suffer for righteous' sake than to compromise our testimony.
1 Peter 4:16 Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name.
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