I don't have many things that truly bother me in this life to the point of anger, because I'm a very laid back kind of person. But there are 3 things that upset me to no end.
The first thing that bothers me is abuse of any kind. Whether it be child abuse, spousal abuse, or the abuse of an animal...it angers me to the point of tears. I just don't get it and I never will. I realize that the abuser is damaged, but surely he realizes what he is doing. Surely he realizes his need of help and change. To intentionally harm someone or something who is weaker than you are just because you can is something I cannot understand.
The second thing that bothers me is prejudice. In my mind it is the highest form of ignorance on the planet. God made us all in His image. It doesn't matter what color or nationality we are. We all belong to Him. We are all equal in His eyes. God is the great Creator, and He did not want to make us all to look just alike. That is one of the reasons His nature is so beautiful...so glorious. How boring it would be if we all were mere clones of one another.
The third thing that really angers me is the way some Christians act like they are better than other people. I don't get this at all. Christianity is all about loving one another. God IS love. There is no hatred or bigotry within Him. God gave us all rules to live by for our own good. When we break them we hurt nobody but ourselves. And we ALL break them.
Why point out the sins of everyone else when you yourself have sins of your own? It doesn't make sense to me. You will never win anyone to Christ by being their judge. You will never win anyone to Christ by finger pointing and condemning them with an air of self-righteousness. The best thing to do is pray for them and love them.
We never truly know the people we interact with. Everyone has their inner demons to contend with. I, myself have my own inner demons. If some Christians I know had a clue about the things I struggle with, they would point their fingers and condemn me. They would question my faith. This is why I don't talk about my struggles...even when I feel the need to talk about them.
Becoming a Christian does not mean that we are suddenly free from all of our sins and all of our weaknesses. It means that we have a Constant Companion in our daily struggles. It means that we have Forgiveness in the face of our sin. It means that God is always with us, even as we fall. He is there beside us, holding out His hand to pull us back up again. Never is He standing there with His foot on our backs...stomping us down a bit further in condemnation.
Christians need to love one another. We need to love other Christians. We need to love those who are not Christians. We need to love homosexuals as well as heterosexuals. We need to love those who are addicted to drugs, sex, alcohol, and food. We need to love those who are pro-choice as well as those who are pro-life. We need to LOVE...period. And that means I need to love those who are abusive and prejudiced just as I need to love those Christians who seek to condemn others.
Loving someone does not mean condoning their actions. Neither does it mean we need to finger point. Just love them...and pray for them.
I am a Christian who has been through so many things...and some of those things I still struggle with. Some days I am strong. Other days I am so weak. But God is with me. I see Him working in my life every single day in ways that amaze me. He opens doors...He opens hearts. He leads me down scary pathways that bring me great joy. I am slowly learning to trust Him. And I know that whenever I fall...(and I will)...He will always be there for me.
As Christians, we need to also be there for each other and for those around us in the same way. After all, we are all the walking wounded. It is only through the kind of love that God shows to us that change will come.
I know this is a rambling article, but I have so much on my heart today. Thank you for reading.
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Comments: 35
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Have a wonderful Thanksgiving and God bless.
Happy Thanksgiving to YOU and YOURS!
As for religion, there is just so much contradiction to it all. I've studied all aspects and I don't knock what makes some people feel good but the zealots and hypocrisy you referred to are what raise my anger. I'm afraid we're all losing sight of the big picture, that humanity is a whole, not one person. I don't feel a belief structure is a necessity for a good moral compass, however, I do feel TRUE Christians and their indomitable faith are a cornerstone in our society.
Unfortunately there is a lot of ignorance out there.
I try to see everyone as my equal and give everyone the same compassion. It is the right thing to do.
Who knows for certain?
I have had so many of the same thoughts and feelings lately. I have watched people getting attacked by Christians for too long. Too much wrong has been done in the name of one who only seeks love. This is well said, and not rambling at all. If you didn't see my post on this matter, I have one as well. If I choose....
Thanks for the comments.
I wrote a poem and article over one of the worst acts possible to describe the complications of this very thing. Loving and judging are part of the same act if done correctly. Hip Hip Hooray!
It is a gream ramble Cheryl. Probably needs to be reposted every year or so :)
People always quote Matthew 7:1 "Do not judge, or you too will be judged."
They tend to forget the next verse: "For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you."
Doesn't that mean that if we're going to judge, we need to allow ourselves to be judged in the same manner?
You're certainly right about love being the most important thing. Jesus did say that the most important things were loving God and loving our neighbor. We're supposed to love even our enemies. And that means valuing them, honoring them, respecting them, holding them in high regard.
With God's help, we can learn to love each one, in spite of his/her sin.