OVERCOMING OPPRESSION WITH SPIRITUAL STRENGTH THROUGH CHRIST

Abstract

From history, we find too many examples of leaders attempting, and too often succeeding, in oppressing their people, instead of leading positively and encouraging each of them to optimize their individual potential, which can help build constructive and productive communities, with people living with positive outlooks on life, resulting from wholesome mental attitude. When oppressed, people often lose hope, which can lead to them becoming depressed, even to the point of being suicidal. It takes effort for people to encourage and build others up, rather than impose their own ideas on them, but it is worth the effort. People are the product of their worldview in action. There are two prominent, contrasting worldviews, namely humanistic and theistic. The critical foundation for well-being among people is their spiritual well-being, which has potential to enhance their own mental, psychological and social well-being, as well as enable them to be positive contributors to the quality of life of their community. From a theistic perspective, a personal relationship with God, through Christ, liberates a person from the tyranny that can be imposed by political and/or religious oppressors and provides wisdom, plus mental and emotional strength, through the indwelling power of Holy Spirit-God. God has the power, ability and desire to save all who acknowledge Jesus as their personal savior and make Him Lord of their life. In fact, this is the prime message that is revealed in the life-giving words of the Bible. Living in a right relationship with God provides hope and help for each person to overcome the many trials and tribulations that they face on Earth, whether that be at the end of a long, productive life, or cut short by unforeseen tragedy, such as that resulting from political and/or religious oppression.