Something that happened today

[cyphercat]

I was out for my parents having their car looked at. At one place I went to, I noticed a sticker a guy had on his car that said "Love everybody. Don't be a dick - Jesus".
Now, I was infuriated and my mind started racing a thousand miles an hour.
Why was I infuriated? There are so many instances during the day where I don't stand up for Jesus. And am I standing up for Jesus, or just wanting to do something because I'm infuriated?

I wanted to bring this up, even if it is something to be ashamed of, not saying something to the person. Maybe I need some correction.

After I left, I ran through a lot of possible scenarios. For instance, I would hate for kids coming home from Sunday School having heard "Jesus loves me" and be confronted with that.
Also, I could have asked him simply why he had the sticker on his car.

When situations like this pop up, I am afraid of losing my cool in the wrong way. I think that being zealous is good (and this is biblical), but am I angry because I look at someone as a wretched sinner who dared to blaspheme, or do I really love the Lord?
Thanks for your responses.

 

[Sam91]

I actually do not know. Have you tried praying for wisdom? Maybe reading the Bible might help. It might lead you to something that you hadn't considered.

I do jot understand your reasoning behing the reaction to the Sunday school kids. I'm not sure what you found emotive about the bumper sicker. Although, I would find that emotive too.

Sorry if I'm not much help but I think that you'll receive the answers that you seek through seeking Him.

 

[SpiritSong]

I would have been offended yes, but I do not know what I could have done about it. Dealing with such people can be dangerous! I would have had no idea what to say. I can understand your reaction and your not knowing how to handle it either. Also, like you said, you could lose your cool! Either way might have been a disaster.

The only thing I can suggest is that you might run into the guy somehow in the future. Plan what you will do, in case you do run into him! Hopefully by then you will have calmed down.

 

[Jenniferdiana]

haha relax

 

[Karin12414]

This is definitely a toughy. I personally am always upset at the unnecessary use of curse words to emphasize anything Biblical. I won't go as far as to say that I don't curse or find cursing funny sometimes (been working hard on this), but not with God.

But as far as how to react, "What Would Jesus Do?". I don't like to throw myself into confrontation either, but the fire that stirred in you was a clear conviction from the Holy Spirit. I think if you felt like you were not going to represent God well, you did the right thing leaving. But don't leave it at that! Pray and learn more about yourself and how to control the erge to get angry in this moment. God may be calling you to stand up for Him, but you have to be very careful and aware of the devil trying to mess you up.

You represent God once you become a Christian. Everything you say and do, every second of the day, is being noticed by non-believers. So you need to approach with LOVE, and nothing else.

My Sunday School leader told us about a moment he had when he went to the store. A man cut him off in the road and they acctually ended up parking close to each other. He went over to the man to ask about the situation, and the man got defensive immediately and shared a few choice words. My leader got upset and shared a few choice words of his own with the man and they went on their way.

My leader was feeling really bad about the whole thing and when he was headed back to his car, he saw the man also heading to his car. He went over to him and he said he could tell the man got very nervous (my leader if pretty intimidating looking because he has a military face lol). So he looked at the man and stretched out his hand and begged for the man to forgive him.

The man was very shocked, of course lol and the guy admitted he was in the wrong. My leader said "no, I'M sorry I'm supposed to be the Christian" they laughed it off and shook hands.

God always gives us an opportunity to represent Him. And He loves us so much, that sometimes we get a second chance if we mess up the first

 

[Gell]

Yea I totally agree with Karin.
We’re not perfect, we mess up. There are days when we do it a lot but the Lord promises to be with us always. No matter what it is that’s bothering us, He is always near and could always have a talk with Him about that.
I am kind of quite proficient in ignoring stuff, I guess that is one of my gifts. I have learned to ignore insults, bad mouthing and such. But that doesn’t mean I’m not hurt a bit, because I am still. We all have our hearts set for the Lord. Sometimes we think that when others mock the living God, we tend to defend Him in one way or another, which is good but we should also remember that He is much more capable than us. He will have His day of judgement.
As Jennifer said, relax

God bless!

 

[faroukfarouk]

Sometimes there is wisdom in knowing when to speak and when to be silent.

 

[faroukfarouk]

I actually do not know. Have you tried praying for wisdom? Maybe reading the Bible might help. It might lead you to something that you hadn't considered.

I do jot understand your reasoning behing the reaction to the Sunday school kids. I'm not sure what you found emotive about the bumper sicker. Although, I would find that emotive too.

Sorry if I'm not much help but I think that you'll receive the answers that you seek through seeking Him.

Yes, there are a lot of annoying bumper stickers. I guess if driving we still need to learn to keep our eyes on the road, though...

 

[Hearingheart]

Missed opportunity for ministry.

Maybe think about why you are so easily offended and have this knee jerk angry reaction. Learn to respond with thoughtfulness and love. Stay calm, be prayed up.

 

[faroukfarouk]

Good to have an ongoing habit in the Word and prayer and so when opportunities present themselves we are more likely to be open to taking them.

 

[brinny]

haha relax

Pardon?

It's perfectly understandable why cyphercat finds it offensive.

Why do you find it amusing?

 

[Jenniferdiana]

Pardon?

It's perfectly understandable why cyphercat finds it offensive.

Why do you find it amusing?

and why do some of you take things so seriously? It doesn't make us righteous but displays an attitude of self-righteousness..i can get why its offensive but why not be mature about it and ignore the darn thing....

 

[brinny]

and why do some of you take things so seriously? It doesn't make us righteous but displays an attitude of self-righteousness..i can get why its offensive but why not be mature about it and ignore the darn thing....

Nah, laughing at someone's genuine distress is disturbing.

Thus the question.

 

[Jenniferdiana]

Nah, laughing at someone's genuine distress is disturbing.

Thus the question.

i am not laughing at anyone, i have a habit of using the word "haha" sometimes so i just put that there, i know we all love God but you don't have to be so serious about everything. if i see something like that, i just ignore it and move on. it doesn't change anything or who i am, i'm sure God understands, you don't have to defend him, and since Jesus had to died for everyone, nobody's perfect, so that obviously means you too..

 

[Jenniferdiana]

i see you around here a lot brinny, i like your posts but please dont tell me its disturbing. i can read, i get it, but gosh please chill a bit

 

[brinny]

i am not laughing at anyone, i have a habit of using the word "haha" sometimes so i just put that there, i know we all love God but you don't have to be so serious about everything. if i see something like that, i just ignore it and move on. it doesn't change anything or who i am, i'm sure God understands, you don't have to defend him, and since Jesus had to died for everyone, nobody's perfect, so that obviously means you too..

The thread is about distress that someone is experiencing.

No one should be laughed at when they're in distress.

I do, as a matter of fact have a rollicking sense of humor.

However, i never laugh at someone's expense nor laugh at someone in distress.

 

[brinny]

i see you around here a lot brinny, i like your posts but please dont tell me its disturbing. i can read, i get it, but gosh please chill a bit

It is disturbing to me.

Thus the question.

 

[Jenniferdiana]

The thread is about distress that someone is experiencing.

No one should be laughed at when they're in distress.

I do, as a matter of fact have a rollicking sense of humor.

However, i never laugh at someone's expense nor laugh at someone in distress.

I wasn't laughing at anyone. you're just twisting things around..you know i wasn't laughing directly at that person especially after i confirm i wasn't, you just keep saying that i am because you don't know what else to say.

but since you're so morally superior, tell me that you are sorry and that you forgive me..

 

[Jenniferdiana]

It is disturbing to me.

Thus the question.

oh well...

 

[brinny]

I wasn't laughing at anyone. you're just twisting things around..you know i wasn't laughing directly at that person especially after i confirm i wasn't, you just keep saying that i am because you don't know what else to say.

but since you're so morally superior, tell me that you are sorry and that you forgive me..

No one is "morally superior".

No, not one is "righteous". Only Jesus Christ is. That's why we all need a Savior desperately.