Putting Myself Under the Microscope
A few days ago someone visited this site using the name Mike in Manila. He made me angry and others reacted negatively to his comments. His comment was insensitive and unkind. They were condescending like many people are to overweight people. He post comments as Mike in Manila. Some people emailed me calling him an “ass” or a “jerk.” Frankly, I agree but my response to him was not that of a Christian, well it was that of a Christian, a flawed one. It was not a good response based on the One I choose to follow. That one being Jesus Christ.
I think my response made me an ass and a jerk. So that is my self assessment and hopefully an acknowledgment to myself that I need to do better next time I am confronted with the same kind of thing and will be again. Its not easy to react in the proper way. It is very easy to react in a selfish, prideful way. There are lots of reasons that make my reaction understandable but none-the-less still unhelpful.
How can I expect to try to teach compassion for those of us that have these kinds of problems when I myself didn’t show compassion to the people that still believe fat people are lazy. I was condescending in my response. A much more productive approach would be to educate gently.
Instead we were like two bulls in a small pasture pushing against each other to see who is the strongest. That wont do much more than causing us both to end up with a headache. So I will recommit myself to turn the other cheek and to respond to confrontation in a peaceful way. As the leader would do. As Christ did when the soldiers came to take him before Pilot. Just look at how much impact his peaceful response has made.
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Tagged with: God • Lent • Spiritual Pathways
Filed under: Lent
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Hi Rusty!
My name is Steven, and I will soon be moving to Tubigon, Bohol. I came across your website, researching Expats in PI. I am new to your site, so really I have to refrain from any comments, although I can’t keep my big mouth shut on this one.
You are correct, when you say the spirit of Christ is to turn the other cheek. My take on this, is that you can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make him drink! People from time to time, choose to be ignorant … rather than face the possibility they are in error. As a practicing christian since 1993, and like you I am also Catholic … it has been an awakening, to serve my master. I will pray for the guy from Manila. I also understand you are having health issues (we all do from time to time), so I will pray for your health as well. This will be my 4th time to PI. First time USN 1979, then 2003 & 2005 for business. Now … in 2009, a lifestyle change! This will be exciting for me, as I decided to move my business there and make a go of it. I met a lovely woman online, and after 7 long months, have decided we are too much alike to let this pass! It might interest you to know Rusty … although I travel extensively and give seminars on wealth building, I will finish my book on peace, prosperity and abundance using the Father as the source! The book is geared towards success for like minded Christians. Hope we can meet in Cebu! Also, as Web Admin for this site, you have my email address … pls feel free to correspond.
Stay blessed and encouraged,
Steven
Steven, I think I got an email from you, still trying to figure out how you got it, if you can, spammers can.
If you didn’t send me an email please let me know. I did respond. You can use the “The Breeze” link to contact me directly if you haven’t already.
I would love to move to the Philippines right now with my Filipina wife, but we have responsibilities in the States.
In reply to your Lent article, we all should remember that we are all made in God’s image and likeness – fat, skinny, short, tall, etc. Take care and God bless. Ron