Hey, guys it's Hannah!! I just have a couple of questions, comments...all that:)
Okay, so a lot of you know about me trying to witness to a friend of mine, who is Unitarian Universalist (means she believes that any religion can get people to Heaven) But she has no particular religion at the time...I keep on hearing people tell me to be a light, and to pray for oppurtunities to be a light to her and to everyone around me! But it seems like no matter how hard I try, I just don't seem any different, and like nobody really notices it. I have tried REALLY hard to stop gossipping, and just negative talk in general. That in itself has improved. But I don't know exactly what to say when my friends are saying things that aren't pleasing to the Lord. I pray every day for wisdom in situations like this, but I just don't seem to have any words when my friends say things. I don't know if I should be like.."Stop gossiping, because it's wrong" or if I should say something good about that person in return to the negative things they are saying. But I don't know what I need to say....so if you guys have any advice, that'd be great! Also, I completely and TOTALLY understand that God is NOT a feeling, but lately I just have not felt his presence. That's really frustrating as well!
IF you guys have any advice, PLEASE help!! And please pray !
Hannah, i know exactly how you feel. I have been trying so hard recently and i feel like its not getting me anywhere. I think though that people notice more then you think. Even if you feel like you arent making a difference you probably are. I have noticed that people are a lot more likely to call you out when you are changing for the worst then for people to remark about improvements that they have seen in you. Just remember, its not our jobs to change people. The Lord can change the hearts of any one he wants, whenever he wants to, we are just tools that he uses. I am not by any means saying to stop trying but just don't get yourself down. Dont let the fact that you arent seeing changes keep you from being motivated. Satan is the one who tells us that if we arent making visible changes then we arent good enough and that God isnt working in our lives- or in the lives of people we are trying to influence. With the gossiping thing i always find that the easiest way to stop people from doing it is just to say "maybe we shouldn't talk about other people like this" i find that people dont ask questions after that, they usually just stop. Also, another way is to call people out on their hypocrisy. Just last night some of my friends were talking about a girl that they didnt know- 2 years younger then us- and they were saying how bratty she was and how much she trash talks people. I just looked at them and i was like well arent yall kind of trash talking her right now? Its just little comments that get them to think about what they are actually saying. I think that always helps. Good luck with all this, the Lord will provide. Dont stop praying for guidance.
ReplyDeleteI hate gossip, because I always worry about whether these people will then turn around and talk about me. Usually, I try to say something nice about that person, then ask them if they would like it if that person said that about them. I love how you're trying to stop this: it is such a problem, and I know that your efforts are not wasted. Even if they keep doing it, but not around you, that still means that you are surrounded by less evil and are not as tempted. Good luck, and keep it up!
ReplyDeleteThank you guys so much! You offer so much encouragement:) I will keep you posted!
ReplyDeleteRemember Hannah, we are built on instant gratification. We naturally want to see results. We're microwave society. So remember that sometimes things take alot of time. Stay consistent. Thats the best advice I could give you. Continue to be yourself, not talk down, be a light, and lie out your convictions. Stay consistent, and people will notice. Maybe not in a few days, but in the ling run, they will for sure.
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