Following Jesus Christ has never been without opposition. Throughout my ministry, I have experienced threats, intimidation, and attempts to silence me because I preach the gospel. Even today, the church where I serve faces both physical and spiritual opposition. There have been moments when I wondered whether I had done something wrong because so many people were against me. However, I came to understand that not all suffering is the result of sin. Sometimes, faithful obedience to Christ brings persecution.
Jesus Himself said, “If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you” (John 15:20).
In one difficult season, several Muslims and other unbelievers blocked the road that connected our church to the main street, forcing us to walk through mud and dirty water. My church was taken to court because members used the blocked road. During worship services, stones were thrown at our church, and I received threats of physical violence. I became discouraged, weak, and at times felt like giving up the ministry in that community. One morning, we discovered what appeared to be sacrificed blood scattered around our church compound. Later, while I was bathing in an outdoor bathroom during a heavy rainstorm, a vicious dog attacked me. No one could hear my cries for help because of the rain.
By God’s mercy, I survived the attack, but afterward my wife and I became seriously ill, and we are still recovering from the effects of that difficult period. How did we respond? We refused to allow fear to silence our faith. There are times when wisdom requires us to remain silent before our enemies, but we must never be silent before God or those who can help. We continued to cry out to the Lord in prayer and sought help through the proper authorities when necessary. We refused to be ashamed of our testimony, knowing that God hears the cries of His children. We remembered the words of Psalm 34:17: “The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; He delivers them from all their troubles.”We also remained committed to the work God had called us to do. We did not allow threats to stop us from preaching the gospel.
Even while I was sick, I continued to teach and proclaim God’s Word because I knew that my labor for Christ was not in vain. Our hope was not in earthly comfort but in the eternal reward that God has prepared for those who remain faithful. As 1 Corinthians 2:9 reminds us: “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.”We understood that our battle was not against flesh and blood but against spiritual forces of evil (Ephesians 6:12).
Although people provoked us and tempted us to respond with anger, we chose not to repay evil with evil. We acted lawfully by reporting serious incidents to the police when necessary, but we refused to seek revenge. Instead, God gave us the grace to stand firm with patience, love, and perseverance. Through every trial, He proved Himself faithful and strengthened us to continue serving Him.
This is why I am encouraged to be part of the United Strong Christian Fellowship. We are called to stand together for Jesus Christ, to strengthen one another, and to be a voice for believers who are threatened, intimidated, or persecuted because of their faith. Let us speak the truth with courage, love, and humility, never allowing fear to silence the gospel. May God empower us to remain faithful until the end, so that the voices of persecuted Christians will be heard and Christ will be glorified.
As 2 Timothy 1:7 declares, “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.”
Please support Pastor Joshua in Liberia; he is faithful in his work to the Lord in difficult times.
