Feuding With Outrage
People are outraged after New York passed a law allowing for abortions up to the day of a child's birth.
People are outraged over a confrontation between an American Native Indian and teenage school kid.
People are outraged over MAGA hats.
And the list goes on.
But what do you do when it gets personal? Over the years I have experienced this first hand. (This outrage thing didn't start overnight.) It works like this.
A - You have or are asked your opinion.
B - Someone disagrees with that opinion.
C - You are treated differently because you have an opinion.
D - If you do not change your opinion or at least water it down, you will be punished for your opinion. (Outrage)
On occasion, I am asked to give our opinion about a person who may serve as a leader in some capacity. Sometimes I can support a decision, sometimes I can't. Sometimes people thank me, other times the outrage ensues. What do you do?
#1 - Guard your heart. Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life. (Proverbs 4:23) Before you do anything, protect your heart from doing anything you'll regret. Once we start trashing someone, we will never stop. We can't because there is no end in sight. Only when you give it over to Christ can you stop.
#2 - Be Blessed. Matthew 5:11–12 11 “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
#3 - Confront. Don't panic here. The principle is simple. If someone is outraged at someone ask them, "Have you talked to them about this?" and the answer is no. Encourage them to do so.
#4 - Imitate Christ. 1 Corinthians 11:1 Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ. The old adage, "What would Jesus do?" applies here. Would Jesus talk this way, think this way, act this way? No? Then don't do it.
PRAY: Dear Jesus, help me to live in peace and not give in to the age of outrage. AMEN
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