Unplesantaries...

[Kehaar]

Hello all

I have very recently become a Christian and am new to the 'Christians Only' section of this site........so a big hello to all those I don't know!

I was hoping for a bit of advice about something and I'm sure its a something most of us will have come accross at one point so I'm hoping you'll be able to help!

I'd volunteered to deliver leaflets about our Churchs Holy Week services to my local community - nothing heavy, simply the dates and times of the Holy Week services. In one particular area I was delivering them to flats. I'd reached the top floor, was posting the last of these leaflets through the last door on that floor when the door across the corridor flew open and the leaflet got flung out by a somewhat angry man who told me "You can take that back!"

To be honest, I wasn't sure what the correct response to that was so I simply answered "ok" to which the door got slammed shut (just for good measure).

I had expected to encounter opposition at some point but I suppose I didn't really expect it when I was handing out nothing more than a list of service times. Before I became Christian I probably wouldn't have really appreciated recieving anything church related, but I do draw the line at throwing it back at someone - I'd probably just have put it in the bin.

There could be a dozen reasons why he reacted so badly and I know I must respect that as his own choice but it also made me realise just how unprepared I am to face people like this. Part of me wanted to speak to him and explain my faith and myself but I realise that'd probably have been a very unwise move and I've very aware that as a new Christian I still have a phenomenal amount to learn but I would appreciate any advice anyone has.

What is the best way to deal with these types of situations?

Thanks,

Astral

 

[myfie]

Hello

and I'm also new here. But well, I'm not a newcomer to Christ. And I understand that you where quite a bit astonished when he slammed the door in front of you. But he did not slam the door because of you but because of what you where sharing - he slammed the door in front of Christ. This are not the moments you should talk with him about your faith - he is not open and you will talk forever and reach nowhere and get only disappointed. But don't let this discourage you, may be because you shared this papers somebody will find the way to Christ and will be helped.

Stay blessed and God be with you while you are doing his work
myfie from Germany

 

[CeCe]

Sounds like you did just about the only thing you could have done. You will probably see a lot of that type of reaction. I'm still kind of new myself and I haven't "gone out". I'm sure it wasn't pleasant at all, but I don't really see what else you could have done. Spread the message to those who will hear.


and hello and welcome!

 

[ShetlandRose]

Welcome to the Christian family, astral acrobat!

You sound to me as if you are on the road to Christian maturity by becoming involved in reaching out, yet are aware of your temporary limitations. You are wise.

God has already allowed you to become a partner in the ministry of intercessory prayer. He presented you with someone who needs desperately your prayer. That man slammed the door to Christ, but Christ is still knocking and has opened another door of which that poor soul is not aware. The Holy Spirit works behind the scenes in all men's lives. Perhaps that man has no one no where to pray for him. If you are faithful and listen and watch well, God will give you someone to pray for every day, often a stranger. Look through the eyes of Jesus at lonely faces all around you. Your purpose may not be to always witness through words, but to be a partner in spiritual warfare.

P.S. I have been spat upon while handing out Christian-Arabic tracts in the Middle East and called Communist (and worse) by Americans. God bless them all!

 

[Yitzchak]

It is best to not read too much into it. They had bad manners. End of story. When dealing with large groups of people, there is always a certain percentage who have personal issues that cause them to be rude. I used to have a newspaper route and experienced similar things. It is not even neccesarially persecution although it could be. I would simply pray a blessing over them between yourself and God privately. Return kindness for rudeness if you get the opportunity but respect their wishes and leave them alone.

 

[Rafael]

I'm very proud of you for going out and doing the work. Don't be discouraged or too shocked by the negative response you will see from time to time. It sounds like you handled it well, but may I suggest going with another person when doing this type of service, as Jesus sent them out in twos, if going door to door. When I went out door to door for a few rallies, I met some wonderful open people and others that had bad spirits controlling them, but God always controlled the situations when I was faithful.
Be blessed....