“Consider it all joy, my brothers, when you encounter various trials, for you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. And let perseverance be perfect, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing” (James 1:2-4).

I write this article a few days after London’s March for Life, reflecting on the sad but tangible fact that any pro-life content I share on my personal social channels seems to lose me not just followers but also friends. Having already noticeably lost access to freelance work (and contact) with former colleagues, I’ve become acutely aware of the ways Jesus is calling me out of the world to pick up my cross and follow him.

The Fear of Cancellation

We in the West may think we live in a free and democratic society, but doesn’t it sometimes feel like total conformity is what is actually wanted when it comes to popular beliefs? Cancel culture has scared so many into silence, including myself.

What kept me in this place of passivity was a deep-seated fear of being misunderstood and looked down upon. I didn’t want to endure the discomfort of having a different opinion, and I certainly didn’t want to have to defend myself or my reputation. But, my attachment to being liked and accepted and my thinking that I could control what others thought of me was paralyzing me.

While, at least in London, we thankfully aren’t in a season of martyrdom right now, we are fighting for freedom of speech, thought, and expression in a time when even silent prayer in public could be criminalized.

How are we supposed to endure these mini-persecutions when they happen at the office watercooler, brunch table, or extended family gathering? The answer is in prayer and preparation.

Detachment From Conformity

When I began to be ostracized for my beliefs, I didn’t have a community of Catholics to lean on, so I easily fell at the first hurdle. Having a community of like-minded believers, actively living in this secular world, is invaluable. But above all, I needed detachment—a detachment from the identities I had created outside of being a daughter of God, a detachment from wanting to be liked by everyone, and a detachment from the comfort that is conformity.

I keep reminding myself of the Pope Benedict XVI quote, “The ways of the Lord are not easy, but we were not created for an easy life, but for great things, for goodness.” It reminds me of the saying that diamonds are made under pressure, and as I enter a new season of work and friendships, I can see all God is doing to refine me and help me to abide in him. It’s not without growing pains, of course, but at least now, I feel even more prepared to persevere in whatever is to come.

“Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you and utter every kind of evil against you falsely because of me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven. Thus they persecuted the prophets who were before you” (Matthew 5:10-12).

‘Therefore, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and constraints, for the sake of Christ; for when I am weak, then I am strong” (2 Corinthians 12:10).

Delphine Chui is a London-based cradle Catholic who strayed away from the Church for over 10 years. Convicted and undeniably pursued by God and Our Lady when she hit 30, she has been chasing truth and love ever since. Her radical reversion saw her completely change her life, taking on a whole new approach to her career, friendships and relationships. A former mainstream magazine journalist, Delphine now works full-time on her charity, CareDogs, which helps bring lonely or socially-isolated older people back into the community through canine companionship. When she’s not attending Traditional Latin Mass or doing something cat/dog-related (she has both at home), she can be found listening to podcasts or journaling. You can connect with her and say hi on Instagram.