It's so hard to keep dealing with this.

[jwoods4290]

Hey everyone so i'm still rather new but i want to share some of my feelings towards my fellow christians and citizens..

Just to give a little information about my self, my name is john anthony (first name), i'm 22 years old living in NJ,supporting my gf and my son. working all of that etc.

Now what i want to share and maybe some fellow christians can help guide me to some calmness regarding these current events.

Lately i've been noticing that it seems the world is out to get "jesus and god living people". You see all these radical athiests trying to push the word of god away from people who live their lives based on it. and it gets me so angry and upset that my hands start to tremble after a while. And i'm lost for words with it.

I love everyone equally (obviously my son is the love of my life) but i treat everyone equally and would share a arm and a leg for everyone (athiest, christians, muslims, etc). But it seems there is so much hate for christians.

I understand there are "SOME" Radical christians who wish we're corrupted or believe everyone else is going to hell. But not all christians or could i say most are even like this. I my self associate with many different people of beliefs and or cultures. But you can't turn the street without a athiest billboard, or "anti christian cnn.com".

I've had enough of it and it's making me want to start turning my back towards everyone who is hating against us, but that is not my way, i was not raised to be like this nor am i going to raise my son to be like this either. but it seems like more and more, we have to defend our selves! just amongest our beliefs!


Now, to make it clear. I do not agree with the belief's of islamic or other cultures besides the own of jesus christ and our lord. i do not believe it is okay to be "homosexual" but i will not go radical and force my opinion on anyone. if you wish to be muslim or gay, that is your own choice which everyone deserves. I do not support it, but i do not treat differently. Everyone deserves their belief and their lifestyle as life is granted to us. But cmon already, the world is become more "anti christ" and anti god loving people each day. you can't even read a news article on cnn.com without a buncha radicals disrespecting our beliefs and lifestyle of choice.


I want to find some type of comfort how to deal with this. my first instinct is to fight back. if their is pickit fences and riots on "anti-god" i want to fight back. but i know this is not the way to go about things, as our lord will not allow us to be condemned and left alone. I don't want my son to feel this way when he gets older so i want to make an example even better.

Please, if someone else is feeling this way or has overcome these obstacles, please share your opinion or thoughts.


Now, for people who do comment back on this if their athiest, muslim, islamic, zionist, hindu, whatever, feel free to comment. but please in a respectful way as i do respect your ways as well. I don't condone it, but i respect u as i want to be respected. thanks.

 

[Eugene]

Dear jwoods4290, greetings. The world will always be at war with Christ, and John 15:18 says "If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you."

And you express wonder at people with hate as they have, and yet in John 15:25 Jesus said they hated me without a cause.

Actually we're not told to keep ourselves from sinners, and Jesus didn't tell us to; they need to hear what we have. Luke 5:30 But their scribes and Pharisees murmured against his disciples, saying, Why do ye eat and drink with publicans and sinners?

On the other hand we're told to keep from Christian brethren not walking as they should, and I'm not talking of one caught in a fault, but more at the one that would claim Christ and openly live as a homosexual for instance such as the following scripture.

1 Corinthians 5:11 But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat.

On the other hand we're to help the brother having spiritual problems

Galatians 6:1 Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.

Blessings in Christ.

 

[jwoods4290]

thank you for this reply eugene. Regardless, i will continue to help, i will continue to spread the word, it becomes frustrating and eventually, you have to know you tried. you gave it your all ad you did the best you could.

I do also accept that people will forever be at war with the lord, until that day has come where it is no more. and i will be at the lord's fingertips for whatever he asks me i shall do.

I just wanted to know how some handle this right now, because it becomes very crucial on strong firm believers.

 

[Blev]

Hello John. Yes the anti- Christian and ungodly are really raising up as this is the last days and the enemy is out to get all he can and take them with him before he is judged. Jesus said they hated Him so they will hate us, His followers, also.

It takes a commitment everyday to follow the Spirit and not the flesh. The best way I have been able to deal with this is to first spend more time in the presence of the Lord in worship and get all filled up with His love and power. Then let it flow out of me to all. We cannot love the unloveable in ourselves but Jesus does, so we have to allow the Lord to love them through us. Also I have to keep in mind to forget about myself and think of the good of the other person, their spiritual good. They will face judgement and hell and I would not want that for my worst enemy as that is forever, so I fear for their destiny. Jesus does not want anyone to perish, he knows they are blinded and cant see the truth. I have to keep in mind that how I act, react, and speak to them, affects my witness of God's love for them and that He only wants to save them from eternal punishment, have a relationship with them, and bless them. So I try to only do and only say what He would do and say. That can keep us humble and on our knees, and keep our attitudes right toward others.

''Heavenly Father I pray for John right now and I ask that you fill Him so full of Yourself, Your love, peace and mercy, that it flows out of him to others. Give him wisdom and grace to live and walk in the Spirit and not the flesh, that others will see You in him that will bring you glory and that they be drawn to truly know you! In the name of Jesus I pray, Amen!''

 

[jwoods4290]

blev (sorry if i didn't spell your name correctly) but i have read a few posts you have written here, and i give you the upmost respect as i have not seen such a firm and strong believer in quite some time. It is actually very pleasing and nice to see someone share what they love even with people that hate it. And yet, to stay calm and continue their path of life with the lord.

Personally, i wish i knew someone like you as it would be wonderful to speak to someone who loves the lord as much as i do. It is a great honor, and i hope your life here on earth is wonderful.

I will always continue to help people and share the way of the lord as my experiences with the almighty has been one of a kind. Thank you for your prayers and my prayers will also be with you.

 

[jwoods4290]

also, please check out this thread

http://www.christianforums.net/showthread.php?t=44976&p=689023#post689023


i would love to share the experience i have had with others. and would love to know if others have had this sort of experience.

 

[3rinfalacho]

I totally get what you going thru. I don't watch the news as much as you do. However, I do feel that a lot of people are against Christian even though we all believe in the same God. There are some people I know disagree with me on some things even though we are not that much different.

Some people just don't have any respect for others. There are christian people who likes to follow rules and obey. Some people like to follow God with their heart and love. I noticed the people who are more towards on rules or laws within church are more likely not respect other people and become stubborn that their way is better than others. So yeah I've gone thru so many different experience, I don't have much pleasant experience with some christian people. I have few friends I could talk to about God so its good to have.

I hope this helps.

 

[Blev]

blev (sorry if i didn't spell your name correctly) but i have read a few posts you have written here, and i give you the upmost respect as i have not seen such a firm and strong believer in quite some time. It is actually very pleasing and nice to see someone share what they love even with people that hate it. And yet, to stay calm and continue their path of life with the lord.

Personally, i wish i knew someone like you as it would be wonderful to speak to someone who loves the lord as much as i do. It is a great honor, and i hope your life here on earth is wonderful.

I will always continue to help people and share the way of the lord as my experiences with the almighty has been one of a kind. Thank you for your prayers and my prayers will also be with you.

John
I am pleasantly surprised at all you said in your post! Thank you for your gracious words and your prayers for me.

First of all having very close fellowship with Jesus and spending time in His presence should be the most important thing in life. And that, along with following His Word, will keep a person strong in the faith. I want always to glorify God in all I do.

God bless you.

By the way, when I joined I did not type my name correctly. It says
BLEV but it was suppose to be B-Lev, and sounds like ''Believe''.
I am a believer, and with God all things are possible if we believe. :D

 

[Milk-Drops]

My best advice is that you really need to address why different opinions, billboards, etc. make you so upset.

What concerns me the most is that you described seeing an Atheist Bilboard as enough to make your hands tremble with anger. I can understand your disagreement with the sign and maybe mild annoyance, but to be reduced to animalistic anger is a bit upsetting.

There are always going to be people who disagree with you. There will always be people that will not like you for stupid reasons. Don't allow these things to control you. If you want to share the gospel with others, just do it, if they don't' want it, fine, move on.

Getting angry won't help you or them. If you find yourself getting angry, start questioning that anger. Take control, ask yourself why it angers you, think about it, and then ask yourself these questions.

1. Is anyone taking this person or sign seriously?
2. Why?
3. What can I do to offer a better solution or pitch?
4. Why Would somone not agree with me?

Then if you are in a conversation ask,
1. Why do you believe what you believe?
2. What Could I do to change your mind?
3. Is there are reason you are hostile? ( only if hostile)


You'll find that if you take this approach and just ignore those that use hyperbole and just want to tear you down that you will find more answers then you thought.

I hope this helps.

 

[jwoods4290]

My best advice is that you really need to address why different opinions, billboards, etc. make you so upset.

What concerns me the most is that you described seeing an Atheist Bilboard as enough to make your hands tremble with anger. I can understand your disagreement with the sign and maybe mild annoyance, but to be reduced to animalistic anger is a bit upsetting.

There are always going to be people who disagree with you. There will always be people that will not like you for stupid reasons. Don't allow these things to control you. If you want to share the gospel with others, just do it, if they don't' want it, fine, move on.

Getting angry won't help you or them. If you find yourself getting angry, start questioning that anger. Take control, ask yourself why it angers you, think about it, and then ask yourself these questions.

1. Is anyone taking this person or sign seriously?
2. Why?
3. What can I do to offer a better solution or pitch?
4. Why Would somone not agree with me?

Then if you are in a conversation ask,
1. Why do you believe what you believe?
2. What Could I do to change your mind?
3. Is there are reason you are hostile? ( only if hostile)


You'll find that if you take this approach and just ignore those that use hyperbole and just want to tear you down that you will find more answers then you thought.

I hope this helps.

hey thank you for this and i respect your honesty. I wouldn't just say "seeing a billboard" out of no where makes me like furious, of course it is upsetting, and not something i want to see, considering it was a "board". It's more when you see other brothers and sisters in the world, disgracing god.

Now i understand some athiests are very quiet, and also respectful. Again, i do not agree with them on not believing, but of course, i always show my respect. It's the one's where they become extremeist and radicals, and do nothing because making a blasphemy out of god. that is what makes my hands tremble.



Yesterday, i was reading the book of revelations for about a good hour, and when i read things like "the beast" "the mark of the beast" "tribulations"

Like, do they not see what possibilties are there? It terrifies me to be stuck here during the tribulation. I do not want to be forced upon satan's physical being here and being stuck with it, then saved. No, i want to be with the rapture,and when the time comes from jesus to slay all evil, i want to be there with him.


Idk.. but i am starting to look at things different from your guys posts, and i appreciate it. I just needed to know that other christians are also coping with this.

Thank you everyone.

 

[providence]

John, I thought about this in prayers last night (and in full disclosure, I haven't been a prayerful person). I think God has placed each of us where he has willed it, and anger about this might unknowingly be directed at God (e.g. Jonah). There is a season when it is helpful to be angry (not indifferent) about a situation, though not an anger in the flesh, apart from God. Jesus also warns he will not spare us from needing to "take up our cross" (Luke 9:23-27) in the manner that Jesus did. Here are some passages:

Psalm 37 "1 Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity....7 Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass. 8 Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil...." (KJV)

Mark 13:3-13 "...9 But take heed to yourselves: for they shall deliver you up to councils; and in the synagogues ye shall be beaten: and ye shall be brought before rulers and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them. 10 And the gospel must first be published among all nations. 11 But when they shall lead you, and deliver you up, take no thought beforehand what ye shall speak, neither do ye premeditate: but whatsoever shall be given you in that hour, that speak ye: for it is not ye that speak, but the Holy Ghost. 12 Now the brother shall betray the brother to death, and the father the son; and children shall rise up against their parents, and shall cause them to be put to death. 13 And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved...."

Matthew 5:10-12 "10 Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. 12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you."

James 1:2-4 "2 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; 3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. 4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing."

Jude 1 "...21 Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. 22 And of some have compassion, making a difference: 23 And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh...." (Also "9 Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee." is hard to interpret, but I think it implies there are improper ways in speaking against evil.)

Act 17:16-17: "16 Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was stirred in him, when he saw the city wholly given to idolatry. 17 Therefore disputed he in the synagogue with the Jews, and with the devout persons, and in the market daily with them that met with him. "

Also, consider that at Jericho, it was God that fought, not man, in his own way, on behalf of God.