I have chosen you out of the world, the world hates you....If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you

John 15:18-21

Jesus said to his disciples: "If the world hates you, realize that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, the world would love its own; but because you do not belong to the world, and I have chosen you out of the world, the world hates you. Remember the word I spoke to you, 'No slave is greater than his master.'
If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours. And they will do all these things to you on account of my name, because they do not know the one who sent me."

I have chosen you out of the world, the world hates you....If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you

Lord,

I know you have chosen me for something that only I can do, you've been preparing me for something only I can do.  But I do not know what that is.

You won't know until it's time.

I want to be able to take the persecution with joy because I am doing it for you.  But I do not.  I feel like a victim.  I get my feelings hurt.  I get angry.  Lord, remind me in those times that it is not about me and my pride, but about you.  Those are the times when I am suffering with you.  Lord, I know it is better to be persecuted for you than to be admired for selfishness and vanity.  I know those things but I still enjoy the praise.   Lord, where is the line between vanity and experiencing the joy of being better than I once was?  I should rejoice in the changes you have made in me and share your goodness and yet I feel proud when I do and then I feel bad. I know I am supposed to share the gospel but also to share the goodness of your mercy and grace and all that you have done for me.  Why is it still so hard for me to believe all that's happened?

Your mind has not caught up with your spirit.  Just like you still see yourself as fat, you still see your soul and spirit the way it was.  You must accept and embrace who you are now, who you are in me and what you have become.  False humility is not the way to go.  Denying the truth is not the way to go.  Embrace and share what I have done for you.  Give glory where it belongs and you will not come across as proud and when you are being selfless in your sharing, that is true humility because it is not about you, but me, what I have done in your life.  I want all to come to me and your good news and sincere humility will bring them to me.