re: this post
I am amazed at the disparity of responses. My comments here have been kind, my emails and such not so much. Some of my most 'Christian' of acquaintances have had the least Christian replies for me. Rather than see it as an admission of one of several events that together shattered my faith and reaching out, as Michael did (thank you), they see it as an attack on their beliefs (I think) and attack back. Rather than offering the "love" that they have so often mentioned comes from God, they offer only vitriol and hate. Yep, that is what someone in pain needs. And that is a beautiful testament to your faith - way to witness guys.
Thanks
Posted by Vox at January 24, 2005 02:17 PM | personalI know it's not easy - I can't begin to imagine your feelings, I'm sure they're much more acute than mine - but I know it's not easy. I didn't take it as an attack on my faith - my faith is secure. I took it as an attack on *your* faith that was very difficult to overcome.
I wrote about these difficulties recently, about how Christians are supposed to rejoice in many things *including* our suffering. That's very difficult to do, right up there with loving your enemy. I might spend the rest of my life practicing it and never get it right.
Some Christians - me, too, sometimes - might not understand that you weren't trying to attack Christianity. I know, you were just overwhelmed. For me, the Bible tells me that it's when I have nothing else left to lean on, when everything in the world has failed me, that God calls me to lean on him. It's very difficult, though. Fortunately the Bible is full of role models, especially Job who lost his entire family and business and servants, all in the space of a few minutes. Job 1:20-22 says
At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground in worship and said: "Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked I will depart. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised." In all this, Job did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing.
I'll pray for your comfort, Miss Vox.
Posted by: Michael at January 24, 2005 05:28 PMWow that's too bad that friends are not being supportive - that sucks major ass. I think it is absolutely normal to have the feeling you have about faith. I honestly think you are going through "footprints." http://www.llerrah.com/footprints.htm
Posted by: Lori at January 24, 2005 06:23 PMplease don't typecast us all. and i'm sure your real friends will realize their mistake.
Posted by: mlah at January 25, 2005 10:48 PMre: typecasting - I didn't and I don't. I don't believe those people were real Christians. They also weren't real friends, they may or may not decide they were wrong - but I will probably never know about it.
And I found it telling that those who chose the path of warmth did so in the open. Those who chose to attack me and blame my loss on a lack of faith did so behind the scenes. I wouldn't put those two groups in the same class.
Posted by: Vox at January 25, 2005 11:52 PM