7 Days to Strengthen Your FaithSample

beDay 6: Facing the Haters and Doubters

Today, we are talking about how to deal with haters and doubters—those people who mock you for believing God; who do not believe in your dream; or who even persecute you for having a faith-filled dream.

Friend, the sad fact is that not everyone will be a fan of your faith.

When you step out to believe God and pursue all that He has for you, some people will think you’re stupid or crazy. You will encounter haters and doubters.

People may tell you that your dream can only happen for other people, but not for you. The enemy will whisper all manner of lies in your ear, and he will often use other people to help him.

But beloved, you have to kick those lies to the curb.

You have to recognize that encountering persecution and even mockery from haters and doubters is just part of the dream-fulfilling process. Jesus said you will be persecuted for following Him. Of course, He was talking about all manner of persecution. There are worse things than being made fun of for your faith.

But, I still want you to be encouraged by the words of Jesus:

“A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master. It is enough for a disciple that he be like his teacher, and a servant like his master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more will they call those of his household!

Therefore do not fear them. For there is nothing covered that will not be revealed, and hidden that will not be known” (Matthew 10:24-26 NKJV).

When you have a dream that is born of the Spirit, people will persecute you for it.

Nevertheless, beloved, you can find comfort in knowing that Jesus was persecuted too. And if you will remain firm in faith, God’s will for your life is still going to be made known.

So, pray as follows as you face the haters and doubters in your life:

• Tell the Father that you come to Him in Jesus’ name. Thank Him that we can come boldly before the throne of grace, where we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
• Praise Him for His faithfulness and His goodness to you.
• Thank Him for showing you the things He has for you by His Spirit. Thank Him for the God-sized dreams in your life.
• Thank Him for the reward you have in Heaven as a result of being persecuted.
• Point out to Him that you see the truth of His Word, that those who are walking in the flesh (born of the flesh) are truly not in agreement with the things of the Spirit.
• Tell Him, “Father, You see that I am being persecuted for harboring this faith-filled dream.”
• Thank Him for allowing you to be His servant, and for allowing you to share in His sufferings in some small way; for a servant is not greater than his master. If they persecuted Jesus, they will persecute you too.
• Take a moment to pray for those who mock your faith:
  • Ask the Lord to shower them with His goodness, which leads men to repentance.
  • Pray that the Holy Spirit will convict them of sin, righteousness, and judgment, so they will acknowledge their sin for what it is; see that there is no hope in their sin; see what Jesus looks like; and turn to Christ in all things.
  • Ask the Lord to convict them, and to help them walk in the Spirit, so they will not fulfill the lusts of the flesh.
• Ask the Father to help you rise above the persecution and stand fast in your faith.
• Pray that He would bring your God-sized dreams to fruition all by Himself as you obey Him so that you can show the world what is His good and acceptable and perfect will for your life.
• Pray that God would get all the glory and that there would be a lot of glory to get.
• Ask Him to exalt the name of Jesus in your life throughout the process, so that people can see the goodness of His Son. Then, give Him all the praise!

Beloved, people will persecute you for your faith.

It’s not a “maybe”; it’s a definite. It will happen. However, God is greater than their persecution. He is faithful, even if others are not. And He will honor your faith, together with your obedience, to bring your dream to fruition. He who began a good work in you WILL be faithful to complete it.