Let me explain a bit about what happened:
There was an opinion shared by a community member and several of the other members chimed in and said they agreed with her. I disagreed with the opinion and said so. In the past, difference of opinions in this particular community has led to some lively debate about why we felt the way we did and ended on a very respectful note of agreeing to disagree. How I hoped this would be another one of those instances! Unfortunately, it was not to be.
I was instantly attacked. Insulted. Belittled. Misjudged. The whole nine yards.
The irony of the situation was that this whole discussion was over accepting differences between people, and about showing tolerance and love. The popular opinion said that you had to agree with something in order to be viewed as societally correct or accepted, or treated with any sort of dignity. I, on the other hand, believe that agreeing about the matter at hand is irrelevant. I believe that, even if you disagree with someone, they still deserve to be treated with respect and responded to in love.
While several people in this community were preaching to me about how I should tolerate and love everyone, they chose not to practice it.
I’m sharing this to remind you (and myself) that there will be times when our belief system will be tested. Words are only as good as the actions we follow them up with.
James 2:18 reminds us of this:
But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds.
James also tells us, in chpt 1:2-3:
Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.
This was certainly a trial and I can tell you that I did not consider going through it pure joy. It was hard to be treated in such a way by people who I thought were my friends. The feelings of joy were a little slow in coming. I found joy later in the fact that a few other community members told me that they disagreed with the way I was treated an were ashamed on behalf of the community. I appreciated their support. I have also felt a weight lifted from my shoulders because leaving this community has allowed me the time to step into different communities and move into new roles that God is calling me to fulfill.
In the meantime, I will choose to follow God’s Word, in spite of the fact that it is no longer viewed as politically correct.
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Oh my goodness!! I know what you mean. There have been so many times I have been put in a situation that went against God’s word and how my heart felt and I had to leave. I didn’t and haven’t said anything because this has to deal with people I am very close to and I have to let it lie. I love all these people, but I just don’t understand sometimes why they do what they do. Another time to just pray and hope God helps me make it through anytime I am with these people. I do believe it does make us much stronger.
It becomes especially hard when it is people you are close to. Not so easy to walk away from them. Some people are meant to play a different role in our lives, and us in theirs. Keep praying and loving through it all, right?
This is true in so many areas–even in Christian circles. But Jesus never says that his teachings will be popular. No, in fact, he says that families will be divided over true doctrine. Of course, “great peace have they which love God’s law–and nothing shall offend them.” We should not strive to be divisive, but if we stand for truth and holiness, there will naturally be division at times.
Absolutely. Natural division is unavoidable but we are given the option to deal with these differences in love or deal with them in strife.
Tolerance is definitely one of those funny words. Experiences like yours seem to happen far to often in our world – and I think purposefully so. I myself have sat in your position and felt the wrath and hatred toward me when my opinions on a matter did not align with theirs. I’ve come to the conclusion that the extremists on both ends of whatever spectrum you’re talking about are always the loudest – and they are silence the moderate majority, who want to be respectful and care about people – regardless if people agree with them or not.
The squeaky wheel gets the grease, right? All we can do is continue doing the right thing, regardless of what everyone else is doing or saying.
I can so relate to this. I have an issue I have to deal with during a meeting tomorrow that relates to tolerance, acceptance and love. A way I, and my son, were treated. I will have to remember that I should approach this with joy. I have a chance to explain my side and that is a blessing, regardless of what they do with that information. Thank you for a great post.
It is such a blessing to get a chance to explain your side. And I am saying a prayer that God will guide your words tomorrow 🙂