Happy Sunday, Friends!
A friend of mines, husband, posted a comment saying Jesus followers were stupid for believing “someone rose from the dead to save lives”. At first, I was offended. I didn’t understand why he would post something like that knowing he had “friends” that were believers.
My first thought was that as a friend, I respected his choices not to believe, so he should respect my choice to believe.
God brought it to my attention that I was being selfish and unreasonable. I know right, how am I being selfish if he offended me? Well, I selfishly projected my expectations onto him. I expected him to respect my life choices as I respected his. I got upset because I expected more than what he is able to give. So, who’s really responsible for my hurt feelings? ME!
It’s not right to expect someone to behave in a manner I thought was appropriate. I then began to understand, that instead of being upset with him, I should pray for him.
Do good to those who hate you. Bless those who curse you. Pray for those who hurt you. (Luke 6:27-28)
I would ask, how or why would I bless him if he is judging me for my faith. Then I had I ask myself, who am I to judge. Wasn’t I once the same person who judged others for their faith? It is then I realized that it is God job to hold him accountable, not me. Just like, God held me accountable for my transgressions, no one else.
He has his opinion because he’s never felt the warmth of Jesus’ presence. The love and grace He gives you when you cry out his name in either pain or praise. It’s hard to believe that someone who has experienced his mercy would say such a thing.
So I began praying that my friends’ husband feels that kind of love. That good ole’ tears are flowing, heart is open, Holy Spirit is flowing, kind of love.
It’s taken me a while to get to this point. I am a believer because He was the only one that showed up and to pull me out of the pit of death. For me, believing in God is not a choice that I have, other than death. I’ve tried the worlds way of dealing with my illness and it almost killed me. Jesus is the only antidote to my sickness. That has been proven over and over again. So if that makes me stupid, then…🤷🏽♀️ It is what it is.
That being said, if you’ve run into someone that doesn’t share the same love of Christ as you do, don’t be upset. Please understand through a heavenly perspectively, that they don’t know what they are saying. Pray for them, so they can too, one day feel that good ole’ Jesus love and join us in heaven.
Healing with Harotian 
It’s also taken me a long time to get to the point where I just pray for those people. It’s not an easy road to take. And I agree with you – if believing in Jesus makes me stupid, it is what it is. God bless you! ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
Exactly. Thank you for stopping by and reading my thoughts. God bless you. Hugs!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I have come to the realization that some people will never accept the Way, the Truth or the Life. The best we can do is try to live Christ in front of them and wait for them to approach us if and when they have a change of heart. To pursue one who has shut and locked the door to their heart is wasting God’s time on infertile ground. Cast the seeds and move on. If something germinates then go back and care for the sprout.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I agree. Thank you! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
So good to those that hate you.
If everyone could do this think of what an amazing place the world would be. Thanks so much for sharing
Mike
LikeLiked by 1 person
It would be an amazing place. Thank you so much for your kind words and for stopping by. xoxo
LikeLiked by 1 person
I know how that feels. I used to feel offended (and still do sometimes) when people say nasty things about my faith but then I realised I felt that because I was focusing too much on myself. It reminds me of John 15:18-19:
“If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you.”
People reject us because they reject Jesus. I know it’s all about His grace that I get to know God and His promises. My heart changed and I prayed for people who offended me.
What a great testimony from you my dear. Lovely post. Keep spreading the Love:)
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much for sharing that! You’re right, it has nothing to do with me. It’s the enemy spreading lies using them as puppets to convince them the world is better. Thank you for the scripture. I always love reading his word. God bless you. 🙂
LikeLike
Thank you for sharing that story. Great points!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for reading and commenting. I pray you are having a wonderful day
LikeLike