Opposition ... accepted!

Sometimes the opposition you face ... isn't. It isn't opposition. You just perceive it to be.

For years I have enjoyed the privilege of teaching college students. I have taught at a number of universities across the years, both in the classroom and online. I love teaching. I love students.

They don't always think I do.

I've been called various names (all behind my back) across the years. But that's okay. I really am interested in helping them learn.

So early in the class I do my very best to open the doors of communication and strive to coach the students toward success. It doesn't always work, but it frequently does.

I remember getting an invitation from a student when I was at Colorado Christian University. She was being inducted into an Academic Honors Society. And she wanted me to attend. That night after dinner and a brief program, she confessed. She told me she didn't like me when I was her professor. She thought I was too strict in my grading. She even told me some of the things the others called me: APA Nazi, Grammar-Gestapo, (and others that were not so German). Anyway, to the good news.

She also told me she wanted me at the Academic Honors banquet because I was responsible for her being there. She told me, that her first class with me was the toughest she had at the university and that because of that, she learned how to write, how to express ideas, how to research and back it up with accurate documentation-and because of all that, she was an honor student. It was so sweet. (And I got a really good free meal out of it!)

Life is like that. I don't know what opposition you are facing, but don't assume it is a bad thing. Good things sometimes come from the toughest spots in life.

Paul thought so. Philippians 1:

Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel.13 As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. 14 And because of my chains, most of the brothers and sisters have become confident in the Lord and dare all the more to proclaim the gospel without fear.

But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice.

Yes, and I will continue to rejoice...

Maybe the opposition you are facing is just one that you must surrender to the Lord and accept. Trust Him to bring you through it.

It is amazing that Paul learned that his prison wasn't really a prison after all, it was a place where new friendships and deeper faith were experienced and fostered.