Responding to ridicule

It seems natural for us to want to be accepted, popular, powerful and in control.  If anything comes between us and those things we tend to want to do whatever it takes to get them.  It is why peer pressure is so strong, it is why family ties are so binding.  It is why we bend our morals to get more money or a better job.  It is why we try so hard to save a good reputation and avoid being embarrassed.  It is why we are so afraid to lose friends or lose our job.  Following Jesus is different and more difficult because we are no longer living for our own purpose, position or promotion.  His values are different.  While our natural response to ridicule is to retaliate to protect our reputation He prefers us to rejoice and relax. After all, we are asked to rely on Him to deal with the problems just like He relied on the Father when facing similar situations.