Jesus has taught me I no longer have to play the victim if I don't want to.
Lecturing myself is something I am abundantly aware of. And I stand with Jesus and usually recognize the logs in my own eyes before pointing out the speck of sawdust in anyone else's.
Your friend did not hurt my feelings. I can recognize a person's good intentions behind their behavior. I have worked a lifetime with other people as a mediator and an oncology tech with end-stage patients and their families. And I worked a short time as a drug/alcohol counselor for teenagers. I think he is hurt himself and can only lash out to me instead of tracing down the fundamental problem.
I know when I am doing a helpful job by the reaction I get from others.
Too often you folks on TOL are cruel and mocking to others--a clear sign that you have no available better choices in your toolbox to live the Christian life you claim to live.
I respect your struggles. And if I think it is appropriate, I will surely address them and try to understand.
I think your anger and aggressiveness toward me is understandable, given the context of our interaction. I myself am always willing to be accountable for my own hypocrisy, bigotry and wrong-headedness.
The first thing to do is to be AWARE of one's intentions, as well as the EFFECT of those intentions on others.
I am hoping folks like you would show me other, less upsetting ways to frame my points and arguments. I am sorry you take them so defensively but unless you show me specifically HOW to communicate my same ideas, beliefs and thinking without touching a nerve, there is not much I can do, is there?
