Speak Your Mind.
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Okay, here goes.
I am new here. This is my first post.
I have had questions about the balance between love and self preservation in this fallen world for a while.
I have also been wondering about what to do in certain situations when I just don't get an answer in prayer,
and a specific answer is not always clearly apparent within the commandments and lesson's from the bible.
So here are my thoughts and questions...
Is it still love when we prayer against our enemies are that are looking to destroy us?
I know I can not gossip, but can I talk to someone about the hurts and disappointments that I have experienced from
others?
How can I say I love when I usually think bad thoughts about someone that has been bitterly opposed to me?
When do I become a silent sacrifice, never defending myself, because I have not heard from God about how to proceed?
Is it wise to not do anything when I am being trampled on, not hearing from God about what to do when people are
attacking me for years and years?
I don't often hear from God about how to conduct myself in a particular situation, and on how to proceed if I am being treated
badly. What do I do then?
Is it okay as a Christian to ever raise my voice if someone is treating me badly? I usually don't get excited when I am in a tense potential confrontational situation with someone in my family, but when I do, afterward, I almost always regret my anger, (I don't curse or threaten, but I can be critical of a persons behavior toward me, and sometimes respond with a non curse word name calling if someone does that to me). But if I don't respond, I almost always regret that I did not say anything. Otherwise I feel like they will just keep doing it again and again. Recently, I was in a confrontation with another family member, and I raised my voice in front of other family members that were present, in this case I was the one who raised my voice first, it wasn't just in response to being yelled at, and I feel like I had just blown my testimony in front of some of my family and friends. I felt like a fool afterwards, and in situations like this, I feel unsatisfied either either way; if I respond excitedly, or do not respond at all. Is this Holy Spirit trying to tell me something, or is it just me? I didn't sleep well on those following nights, and the day after, I lost my appetite and felt down. I feel like I have to start all over again in my Christian walk regarding an appropriate response, and on how to make every thing I do pint to God's kingdom. Even though I am infinitely more loving and forgiving, patient and understanding, I have come such a long way, I still ultimately fail to the standards I want to be according to what I think God wants from me.
I feel like my family will just think I am a hypocrite, or who knows what else. I don't think I have always been a good example of a Christian in their eyes, in fact I know I have not. It really bothers me that I have hampered my chances to be a living example of Christ in me. I have hurt my family members chance of salvation. I don't want that on my head.
I am one of only three genuine Christians that I am aware of in a extended family of maybe 75 people aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, in laws, etc., that I am close to. They already think I use Christianity as a crutch. To make matters worse, most of them have led "good" lives. Many of them have been good family people. They contribute to the community. Many of them are forgiving and gentle. Almost all of them work hard. Some of them have made millions. Many have various educational degrees (I have one too) . BUT THEY DON'T HAVE CHRIST ! And sometimes in life, I struggle more then they do, and I have Christ in my life. And I am sometimes angry or frustrated that they are willing to forego God. They are so comfortable in their apostasy. I wish I could shake them. But here I am maybe making matters worse. Sometimes I wish I just crawl into a hole.
Sometimes I wish God would just get me out of this fallen sin filled world. Someties I wish there wasn't so much work to yet be done.
Joseph
I am new here. This is my first post.
I have had questions about the balance between love and self preservation in this fallen world for a while.
I have also been wondering about what to do in certain situations when I just don't get an answer in prayer,
and a specific answer is not always clearly apparent within the commandments and lesson's from the bible.
So here are my thoughts and questions...
Is it still love when we prayer against our enemies are that are looking to destroy us?
I know I can not gossip, but can I talk to someone about the hurts and disappointments that I have experienced from
others?
How can I say I love when I usually think bad thoughts about someone that has been bitterly opposed to me?
When do I become a silent sacrifice, never defending myself, because I have not heard from God about how to proceed?
Is it wise to not do anything when I am being trampled on, not hearing from God about what to do when people are
attacking me for years and years?
I don't often hear from God about how to conduct myself in a particular situation, and on how to proceed if I am being treated
badly. What do I do then?
Is it okay as a Christian to ever raise my voice if someone is treating me badly? I usually don't get excited when I am in a tense potential confrontational situation with someone in my family, but when I do, afterward, I almost always regret my anger, (I don't curse or threaten, but I can be critical of a persons behavior toward me, and sometimes respond with a non curse word name calling if someone does that to me). But if I don't respond, I almost always regret that I did not say anything. Otherwise I feel like they will just keep doing it again and again. Recently, I was in a confrontation with another family member, and I raised my voice in front of other family members that were present, in this case I was the one who raised my voice first, it wasn't just in response to being yelled at, and I feel like I had just blown my testimony in front of some of my family and friends. I felt like a fool afterwards, and in situations like this, I feel unsatisfied either either way; if I respond excitedly, or do not respond at all. Is this Holy Spirit trying to tell me something, or is it just me? I didn't sleep well on those following nights, and the day after, I lost my appetite and felt down. I feel like I have to start all over again in my Christian walk regarding an appropriate response, and on how to make every thing I do pint to God's kingdom. Even though I am infinitely more loving and forgiving, patient and understanding, I have come such a long way, I still ultimately fail to the standards I want to be according to what I think God wants from me.
I feel like my family will just think I am a hypocrite, or who knows what else. I don't think I have always been a good example of a Christian in their eyes, in fact I know I have not. It really bothers me that I have hampered my chances to be a living example of Christ in me. I have hurt my family members chance of salvation. I don't want that on my head.
I am one of only three genuine Christians that I am aware of in a extended family of maybe 75 people aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, in laws, etc., that I am close to. They already think I use Christianity as a crutch. To make matters worse, most of them have led "good" lives. Many of them have been good family people. They contribute to the community. Many of them are forgiving and gentle. Almost all of them work hard. Some of them have made millions. Many have various educational degrees (I have one too) . BUT THEY DON'T HAVE CHRIST ! And sometimes in life, I struggle more then they do, and I have Christ in my life. And I am sometimes angry or frustrated that they are willing to forego God. They are so comfortable in their apostasy. I wish I could shake them. But here I am maybe making matters worse. Sometimes I wish I just crawl into a hole.
Sometimes I wish God would just get me out of this fallen sin filled world. Someties I wish there wasn't so much work to yet be done.
Joseph
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My family is planning to to do a New Year's party tonight, so I'll be heading to my parent's place in a few hours, spend time with my brother and his fiance who is visiting until tomorrow and then get to see so many of my family and friends.
And then I was able to bring in the New Year's with someone very special to me last night...and I wouldn't have exchanged it for anything.
Life is good.
And then I was able to bring in the New Year's with someone very special to me last night...and I wouldn't have exchanged it for anything.
Life is good.
