Despondent from Defending

Al T · Jul 5, 2015

It is all about you being strong within yourself. I have friends and colleagues who are staunch atheist. They constantly harp on about my belief and how Christianity is nonsense - all with a smile on their face.
I have reached a point where it is all water off a ducks back. Their barbs, their comments, just can't get a hold in me. My faith is too strong.

When you start to slip, just think to what Christ has done in your life. What he has done for you. Compare that to their niggling comments and you'll see yourself strengthen.

Some folk do sometimes become too much, and they might need to be managed (don't get into a debate with them)

However as the only Christian there, you're the only light in the dark. Stay strong.

scraparcs · Jul 5, 2015

Sketcher said:
How are these "conversations" starting at your workplace?

Workplaces can vary, although I'm not Elizabeth. I've worked places where we got into deep theological discussions. Other places, like where I'm at now, we don't talk religion much and as far as they need to know, I'm just a somewhat backslidden/lapsed Christian. When you're working in areas where you have people of many different religions working together, proselytizing doesn't always go well.

I think it's a bit much to say that people are getting into these discussions with the intent of wearing you down, but sometimes living your faith is the best idea.

Messy · Jul 5, 2015

People who are really annoying in telling you your belief is stupid are very interested. I was like that as a kid. I annoyed all my friends. Do you believe in God? That's stupid! My granddad was bad, he really tried to pull you from your faith and make you ridiculous. I tried evangelizing to him once but it was no use, so I just prayed every day for his soul for 20 years and my mom told him the gospel which my dad didn't like, he hit her afterwards, but he did get saved just before he died.

Cearbhall · Jul 5, 2015

Elizabeth8393 said:
a gal basically told me that I was wasting my time with believing in God

Ew. That's rude. I'm sorry that happened. I know it's tough to deal with, but try to remind yourself that this sort of treatment indicates a flaw in her, not you. :hug:

Tom Mix · Jul 5, 2015

Make them want to know what you know. Skip ahead to about 1 minute and 30 seconds, then punch them in the eye.....lol, not really.

Elizabeth8393 · Jul 5, 2015

Thank you all for your words of encouragement, advice, and helping me see things in the right perspective.

After reading over all you have said I don't see it as being as bleak as it could be here. This time last year I was exactly where they were, I was a full on Satanist, condemning all believers, so I can understand where they are coming from because I've lived it. Since coming out of that it has been hard to remind myself who I really am, not who my past says I am. That's where the depression really kicked in.

I'm glad I'm not in that place anymore, that path was the path which leads to death. I have the freedom which comes from grace and love, now I just need to work better at extending that grace to others.

Thank you all again!

redblue22 · Jul 5, 2015

If I was interested in hearing about your beliefs, what would you say?

Panzerkamfwagen · Jul 6, 2015

If you want to argue with someone, cite Pascal's Wager.

grandvizier1006 · Jul 6, 2015

How do you all do it? I just can't help but think that I'm not doing God's will if I just agree to not talk about my faith with secular people, although I've really never had the experience. And I feel like if non-Christians knew the full scope of my beliefs they'd either hate me or, well, try and convert me to whatever they believed. I don't know exactly what would happen, and that scares me. I can't exactly let my life be an example , given all of my mental and behavioral issues that could interfere and lead everyone to think I'm yet another dogmatic, ignorant Christian.

SnowyMacie · Jul 6, 2015

grandvizier1006 said:
How do you all do it? I just can't help but think that I'm not doing God's will if I just agree to not talk about my faith with secular people, although I've really never had the experience. And I feel like if non-Christians knew the full scope of my beliefs they'd either hate me or, well, try and convert me to whatever they believed. I don't know exactly what would happen, and that scares me. I can't exactly let my life be an example , given all of my mental and behavioral issues that could interfere and lead everyone to think I'm yet another dogmatic, ignorant Christian.

Personally? I believe the best way to evangelize is to act, not speak.

grandvizier1006 · Jul 6, 2015

TX_Matt said:
Personally? I believe the best way to evangelize is to act, not speak.

But that's just it. I don't know if I can rely on my behavior alone. I freak out too much. even if people liked me they could just assume that "his religion sure isn't working out for him". And if I failed to "lead someone to Christ" (which is very likely, even if I don't make myself an enemy) I'd probably feel bad because I would feel like I had failed God.

I guess I just need some courage.

SnowyMacie · Jul 6, 2015

grandvizier1006 said:
But that's just it. I don't know if I can rely on my behavior alone. I freak out too much. even if people liked me they could just assume that "his religion sure isn't working out for him". And if I failed to "lead someone to Christ" (which is very likely, even if I don't make myself an enemy) I'd probably feel bad because I would feel like I had failed God.

I guess I just need some courage.

The way I see it is that I can only do so much, and even if I can't get far enough along in the relationship, I think "A seed was still planted".

LoveDivine · Jul 6, 2015

I don't

grandvizier1006 said:
But that's just it. I don't know if I can rely on my behavior alone. I freak out too much. even if people liked me they could just assume that "his religion sure isn't working out for him". And if I failed to "lead someone to Christ" (which is very likely, even if I don't make myself an enemy) I'd probably feel bad because I would feel like I had failed God.

I guess I just need some courage.

I don't think non-Christians expect you to be perfect. Anxiety or personal struggles are not the same as malevolent or selfish behavior. I think damage is done when Christians mistreat others and display blatant selfishness. It's good that you are aware of your own shortcomings and desire to be a testimony. I would continue to seek God for grace to overcome your anxiety and trust Him to give you the right words to say when the opportunity arises. You would be surprised what you can say and share when you are guided by the Holy Spirit. Some Christians are more skilled in apologetics than others, but all Christians are capable of sharing the gospel at a basic level. You build confidence as you step out in faith and share. The first few times I was on the spot, I was very nervous and felt very inadequate. I have become much more comfortable with sharing my faith. Even if you don't say everything perfectly, God can still use your attempt and words to awaken a person's mind. Even Moses felt inadequate to speak before Pharoah. He wasn't an eloquent speaker by nature. Yet God used him to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. You aren't alone in your concerns.

grandvizier1006 · Jul 6, 2015

Thank you both for the advice. I certainly hope I get some sort of opportunity to share the Gospel.

Dennis Hardy · Jul 7, 2015

Hawthorne said:
Coincidentally, I came across this earlier today....

Christianity is not an easy road, let's just put that in the open right off the bat. While many of us may never experience persecution, there are times when the paths of righteousness are rough, and there are times when they are smooth; sometimes, it's just you and God, sometimes you will pass hecklers in the nearby forest as you traverse the King's highway.

It's good that you're being challenged by non-believers. As exhausting as it can be, if you persevere, you will come out the stronger, and, for anything I know, Satan is attempting to sift you.

To answer your first question, I have not. I enjoy apologetics, and being challenged isn't usually a big deal for me, though it can be annoying when my opponent is merely spouting rhetoric and isn't responding to anything I've said.

To the second, you are a slave of Christ, and to him you owe fealty; you are marked with his brand, and you bear his yoke of servitude. It's little wonder the subject comes up. As a faithful subject, take delight in extolling the virtues of your King; pray to him for strength, and delight in his goodness. Above all, love. These people are God's lost children. He loves them dearly, and so should you... especially since you are his means of saving them. I'm reminded of the words of St. Teresa of Avila:

Christ has no body now but yours. No hands, no feet on earth but yours. Yours are the eyes through which he looks compassion on this world. Yours are the feet with which he walks to do good. Yours are the hands through which he blesses all the world. Yours are the hands, yours are the feet, yours are the eyes, you are his body. Christ has no body now on earth but yours.

Remember also that you are not alone. You are a member of God's family, and you have innumerable brothers and sisters (and a great cloud of saints) which can advise you, uphold you in prayer, and help you with encouragement and any difficult arguments you encounter.

Keep contending for the faith, dear sister.

hello there

Are you saying that Christ has no physical body at all, or just here on this earth?

fromtheAsh · Jul 7, 2015

.Mikha'el. said:
This is why it's not a good idea to advertise one's beliefs at work. It just ends up sowing division amongst colleagues, and it's largely not relevant to the jobsite anyway. And I think that's true regardless of what one's beliefs are, be it Christian, Buddhist, Atheist, or a believer in the Flying Spaghetti Monster. I don't think that means hiding one's faith, but I'm a big believer in "Don't ask, don't tell" when it comes to that.

This is how it is at work: we don't talk about religion or politics.

redblue22 · Jul 7, 2015

repeat of last comment.

Despondent from Defending

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Es braust unser Panzer im Sturmwind dahin.

I don't use this anymore, but I still follow Jesus

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I don't use this anymore, but I still follow Jesus

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I don't use this anymore, but I still follow Jesus

Joh_10:30 I and my Father are one.

That one girl from that one website.

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