Facing Persecution, Rina Finds Strength in God’s Word
For many Christians in India, following Jesus comes with a cost. Families are torn apart. Jobs are lost. Believers are harassed, beaten, or even threatened with death.
But even in the middle of fear and rejection, God’s Word gives them courage.
Let me tell you about Rina.
Rina’s life has not been easy. More than ten years ago, her husband was sent to prison and she lost her job as a bank teller. Overnight, she had no income and no way to provide for her three sons and her mother-in-law. Family members and neighbors gossiped and spread cruel stories, leaving her reputation in shambles and making it nearly impossible to find work.
A few years later, Rina heard the Good News of Jesus for the first time at a local church. She believed quickly—but her relatives were outraged.
They mocked her faith and treated her with contempt, especially because her church welcomed believers from every caste. To them, it was scandalous for a woman from a high-caste family to worship alongside those from “lower” castes.
The opposition was so severe that for six months Rina could not even live at home. She slept on the floor of the church, just to escape the constant ridicule and abuse.
While there, she received a Talking Bible in her own language of Odia. For the first time, she could listen to the Scriptures from beginning to end. She started in Genesis and has already made her way through the book of Daniel—where she found herself deeply encouraged.
The story of Daniel in the lions’ den spoke directly to her heart. Just as Daniel faced enemies who tried to destroy him, Rina has often been surrounded by people who insult and attack her faith. But she testifies that, just as God shut the lions’ mouths, He has softened the hearts of her enemies. Today, many who once cursed her now speak kindly.
Through her Talking Bible, Rina also heard the words of Jesus from the cross: “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing” (Luke 23:34). She took those words as if they were spoken directly to her—and God gave her the strength to forgive her own family members who continue to persecute her.
Friend, this is the power of God’s Word.
Rina is still surrounded by challenges, but she now has peace. She has started a small baking business to provide for her family. She has been reunited with her husband after years of separation. And she continues to boldly share Jesus with others in her community.
“When I listen to the Talking Bible,” Rina says, “I feel the strength to keep going. God’s Word reminds me that I am not alone.”
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