Is There A Catfish In Your Tank?


"Do not marvel, my brethren, if the world hates you." (1 John 3:13).


I heard a story about some fish suppliers who were having problems 
shipping codfish from the East Coast. By the time the fish reached 
the West coast, they were spoiled. They froze them, but by the time 
the fish arrived, they were mushy. They decided to send them alive. 
But the fish arrived dead, so they tried sending the fish alive 
again, but with one difference. They included a catfish in each tank. 
You see, the catfish is the natural enemy of the codfish. By the time 
the codfish arrived, they were alive and well, because they had spent 
their trip fleeing the catfish.

This is my point. Maybe God has put a catfish in your tank to keep 
you alive and well spiritually. It's called persecution. Maybe 
there's a person at work who always has eight hard questions for you 
every Monday morning regarding spiritual things. Maybe it is that 
neighbor who is giving you a hard time for
your faith in Jesus. Maybe it is a spouse or family member who 
doesn't believe. You are wondering why this is happening. It is like 
that catfish. That person is keeping you on your toes.

Shortly before His crucifixion, Jesus told the disciples, "If you 
were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are 
not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the 
world hates you." (John 15:19).

God will allow persecution in the life of the believer. If you're 
experiencing persecution, here are two things to remember:

  1. Persecution confirms that you are a child of God.
  2. Persecution causes you to cling closer to Jesus.

When you are suffering persecution for your faith, remember that this 
world is not your home.