Negative reactions from friends & family

[pr0cessa]

Hi everyone, I am 32 years old. I'm hoping that my situation might sound familiar to someone out there. I recently converted to Christ, and he has brought amazing love and joy to my life. I had my baptism 2 weeks ago and it was a major milestone for me in my spiritual journey... a very happy occasion. However, I'm finding that it's almost impossible to talk about this with my friends and family who knew me before i was in Christ. My husband is very supportive, but my mom and dad are both nonbelievers and they think I have lost my mind. Most of my friends either ignored me when I posted about it on facebook, or made fun of me. It's not like I'm evangelizing - I'm not ready for that! I'm just saying, "hey, this great thing happened to me and I'm excited about it!" I was hoping that people would be happy for me, but they're just not. People seem to get really touchy and sensitive when they hear the word Jesus. I just want to be able to say His name without people freaking out! Maybe I've come on too strong, but the dialog seems to have shut down in every direction. I don't like having this awkwardness between myself and some of my nearest & dearest. It's upsetting to feel so alienated over something so positive. So, if anyone has any words of advice or encouragement, it's much appreciated!
~Lara

 

[tturt]

Welcome to Yahweh's family!

You're His light to them and some of them will come around. Just keep relying on Him for strength, wisdom and guidance.

 

[Bouke285]

Non-believers are offended by God, especially when talking about salvation because it forces them to see major flaws in their lives. It forces them to realize they are wrong, but when they aren't ready to accept the only way out of those flaws, they become offended. as tturt said just keep your faith strong and know that Jesus is with you in persecution, even if it is brought on by friends and family.

 

[Jeremiah1]

"For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God." (1 Corinthians 1:18)

It happens to all of us, believe me. And it is quite frustrating at times. The best thing you can do is not argue with them over it or get discouraged by what they say and do, but let Christ be seen in your actions. Be overly loving and kind, letting Christ dwell in you. Lord willing they will see the change in you and it will cause them to want the same, or at the very least to have a deeper level of respect for you.

 

[pr0cessa]

Thank you so much for these kind words.
Many times, when my faith comes up in conversation, I'm not sure if I should just drop it or not. We're supposed to tell people about Him, right? I've got nothing to hide, and I don't like leaving a topic unaddressed. But it's clearly making people uncomfortable. It's also difficult for me at work; I happen to be a scientist, and the vast majority of my coworkers are very skeptical. One of them noticed the cross around my neck and did not take me seriously when I tried to explain why I'm wearing it. The reaction I got at work was a confused stare. I'm worried that they are judging me now. I don't want to create any conflict. I don't feel I've evangelized in any way at all (even though I'm getting the message from my minister that all Christians have a duty to evangelize.) It's such an interesting place to be mentally. For the first time in my life, I feel really loved. But also a little bit ostracized for the first time!

 

[SharonL]

Yeah!!! Thank God and smile within yourself. It is good you are making them uncomfortable so don't worry about it - converting them is God's job and His presence is speaking loud and clear - you have good advice on all the posts. Just let the Joy of the Lord shine through you and they will want what you want. God chose you among all your family and friends to light up His way - He will take it from there - just live your life in the Joy of the Lord - you don't have to convert them - God will do it in His time - just let them see how happy you are (they won't be able to stand it for long)

 

[Janitrol]

They're just concerned for you, don't let it tarnish your view of those you love.

 

[TheGuide]

Since you have told them who you are now, lead by example and not by words. They will see God's work in you and, in time, they will ask questions that you should answer quickly, without getting preachy or judgemental (when you respond with minimum words there is no room for either of these to happen). In time they will ask you another queston that you will answer quickly then invite them to church. If they say no, accept it with a smile, because they may be sitting beside you in church one day soon.

God bless you and have a super Thanksgiving day.

 

[xMATHiiASx]

Hey Lara I'm very glad for you choosing Christ and wanting to be part of his family. Blesses from here.
First of all, I understand your situation. I also recently became Christian months ago, and my family were like, some kind of "offended" as you also mention. Like Bouke285 said, non-believers are often offended by Christ, because they are afraid to look themselves in the mirror and realize that they are missing a major piece of the puzzle of their lives, to give them complete joy.

In the beginning I also wanted to argue, but as time went on, I began to understand, that it isn't the discussions that help people realize that Christ changed you - it's your doings. Like Jesus said, a good tree bears good fruit. You are that good tree!
Let people be amazed by your suddently change of living, and let them enjoy the view of joy in your eyes, which Christ gives you. Remember to be a example, and not a person who often wins-discussion about whether or not Jesus can save you etc..

Remember the fact, that the reason people are offended by Christ (as I mentioned before) is because they are running from themselves afraid to look into their own eyes and ask themselves: "Am I really okay? Am I not really missing something?" Hope this helped, I'm very glad for you found your faith in Christ. God bless!!!!!

 

[pr0cessa]

Thank you to all who replied! For those in the USA, I hope you had a great Thanksgiving. I am so glad i found this forum. It's great to feel supported from other Christians by sharing our thoughts. Bless you all.

 

[salida]

Welcome to the family.

Non-believers get convicted by the holy spirit-then they get on the defensive and over react. I have been saved for 31 years and I still have a brother who automatically puts me on the defensive no matter what. Just pray for those who walk in the dark.

Also, I got additional friends-
Take one day at a time and get some inspirational friends that love God by their actions. Some of my old friends didn't stick around.

 

[k.miles]

Lara,

I hate to say it, but this should actually be somewhat of a expected reaction from others. Many don't understand God and many even think believing in an unseen Being is foolish. They think you have lost your mind because they see that you are becoming closer to something which may not even exist. Of course God does exist but many think He doesn't or if He does--devotion to Him is uncessary.

It is also a sign of intimidation to them. They see you are getting closer to God in a way that reminds them that they should be doing the same. Since they are not doing the same as you, this creates an intimidation in them to where they have to release it through jealousy by teasing you, picking on you, etc.

Liken this to the person who does all their homework and makes good grades in school and the person who doesn't acheive to excell as much as them and ends up picking on them or teasing them. Is anything wrong with the person which chooses to make good grades? No. So why are they getting picked on? Simply because they are putting in more effort than the one picking on them. The one picking on them is obviously intimidated to an extent and jealous.

So Lara, nothing is wrong with you. Those which tease you are either intimidated, jealous, or do not have enough understanding about the unseen...or all three!!

Lara, read these blog posts which should provide you more strength and understanding on your spiritual journey. The first one deals with jealousy and the second on deals with the perception of believing in an unseen God as seeming foolish:

whatyoudontunderstandcanhurtyou.com/blogs.fillingthefeeling.htm

and

whatyoudontunderstandcanhurtyou.com/blogs.intangible.htm

May Christ bless you Lara,

 

[Nathaniel Ellis]

Its actually part of your life in Christ. You are not coming on too strong you are simply bearing His Name. Nothing is wrong in fact something is really right.

Only people with great anointings lead mass ammounts of people to Christ at the same time. but even Heidi Baker talks about loving the one. finding the one person that is open to God and pouring love into them.

Mathew 5:11
Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you, lie about you and say all kinds of evil things about you because of Me. Rejoice and be glad for your reward in heaven is great for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Its so awesome that your husband is supportive. . .
You should read 1st corinthians 7:10, it talks about the husband being sanktified by his beliveing wife.

here is a youtube video that will give you a heads up in your new Life with Christ so you won't have to learn things the hard way by trial and error.
there is a link to it on my page . . . just click on my name. or go to youtube and type in How to Make JESUS CHRIST your Lord and Savior.

i know you have allready done this but there is some good advice on what to expect as a Beliver. its way ezer to get threw the wilderness when you know its coming and why, and that there is a promised land on the other side.