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Sharing your faith is scarry? - 10/21/2009 2:03:26 PM
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Fritzpw_Admin
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Joined: 2/28/2005
From: New Jersey
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quote:
Conquering Your Fears
Betsy St. Amant - Crosswalk.com Contributing Writer
It's officially autumn. With thoughts of Fall come thoughts of crispy red leaves, roaring fireplaces, candy corn, denim jackets, and unfortunately, Halloween. While I enjoy dressing up my baby girl and taking her to the church carnival, I don't enjoy the holiday. In fact, I absolutely despise trying to watch TV the entire month of October because of all the horror movies being shown or featured. I don't like to be afraid.
Fear is a funny thing. It's a mental emotion that can lead to physical reactions in the form of sweating, adrenaline rushes, accelerated heart rates, etc. It's probably the least favorite emotion of most people in this world. Yet, it's probably one of the most commonly experienced. We fear death. We fear destruction. We fear rejection. We fear pain.
<< SNIP >>
As Christians, I think sometimes it's scary to share our faith. We're afraid of looking foolish, of not knowing what to say, of being rejected or labeled as "weird." But why is it so hard for us to defeat our fear in order to save a loved one? Why can't we reach out like Little Miss did for Gigi and snatch our friends from the grip of certain spiritual destruction?
In that scenario, the vacuum cleaner is no longer The Beast, but the threat of hell is. And there's (obviously) a lot more at stake there than just fur trapped in a roller. If a terrified child is willing to risk her fears to save her friend, why can't we?
Conquering Your Fears
I heard an evangelist say once that if you were not leading others to Christ that he seriously doubted if you had ever been discipled yourself. We are so afraid to share our faith with other people and as a result we opt for our own comfort and try to ignore the knowledge that the person will spend a very uncomfortable time in eternity.
Why are we so afraid?
_____________________________
Fred "Fritz" Alberti
Director of Social Media
fritz@salemwebnetwork.com
Read today's Bible verse from my favorite online Bible
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RE: Sharing your faith is scarry? - 10/21/2009 2:17:49 PM
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Elena1030
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Joined: 6/21/2006
From: Music City, USA
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Sometimes it's scary because it can be "scarry" -- lead to our getting hurt and being scarred.
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Prayer thread for singles who desire to marry someday
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RE: Sharing your faith is scarry? - 10/21/2009 3:25:26 PM
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CMT8808
Posts: 248
Joined: 9/4/2009
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quote:
Why are we so afraid?
This is one area that I am not afraid of. I share my faith all the time, because I believe and know what the Lord has done for me.
There was a time in a neighborhood I lived in that people referred to me as the "Bible Lady."
I have been mocked a few times, but it doesn't bother me. I guess my past experiences allows little things like this not to get under my skin of someone else's disdain.
CMT
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formerly Delete 123
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RE: Sharing your faith is scarry? - 10/21/2009 3:50:23 PM
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allisonbrett
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These are some of the things that come to mind... Excuses of why we don't witness.
If we share our faith is one who is hurting will they reject the message and in essence reject us? Will they feel that our religion is our business and their beliefs are their own? Am I being too nosy or over-stepping boundaries? What if I mess up and say the wrong thing? What if they ask something I can't answer? What if they think I'm weird, or a freak, or a know-it-all? What if????
Sharing faith is stepping into the great unknown. We aren't comfortable there. When faced with a stranger, we don't know where they stand often times. Even is its someone we know quite well, what if they think....? It's often baring your soul and leaving you open to debate, insult or rejection. There's a vulnerability to sharing our faith. Will they look at me as being hypocritical. If they've witnessed any failing or sin in my life will they think I'm judging them while being less than perfect? We may feel we are not adequately prepared, gifted or suited to be a witness for Him. Maybe we can't remember which scripture if found where. Stepping into the world of "what ifs" is terrifying for some, challenging for others and yet exhilarating for a few.
I find myself in the middle: challenged. There have been those I have witnessed to yet felt like I rambled on like an idiot. I have learned to say less and listen more. I'll also discovered that I am to plant a seed, not win their salvation. I've learned to pray for the right heart and mindset to hear things of God. To pull myself out of the equation and allow the Holy Spirit to fully speak through me. It's never easy, I'm still not comfortable and feel so inadequately prepared. When scripture talks about the "least of these: its referring to me.
_____________________________
Allison
A work in progress so please be patient, God is still working on me. Ouch, it sure is painful!
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RE: Sharing your faith is scarry? - 10/21/2009 3:53:52 PM
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Focusing
Posts: 5181
Joined: 5/19/2007
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quote:
Why are we so afraid?
Wow, I can think of a lot of reasons, and, yes, I know in the scheme of things (eternity), they are all quite pathetic  ... but here's a few: in every place I've worked, you can get written up and even fired for discussing religion; you can be ostracized by friends and coworkers who don't share your faith (this can be an extremely painful thing ... being we're human and desire relationship with others and all); we live in a very litigious society, and people love those frivolous lawsuits. As a believer, yes, I live in a world surrounded with all kinds of threats and dangers simply because of my beliefs.
Am I careful who I discuss my faith with? Yes.
_____________________________
Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you.
Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.
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RE: Sharing your faith is scarry? - 10/21/2009 4:26:28 PM
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LCannon
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From: Lebanon, OR
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There's at least three factors that makes witnessing 'scary'. First some people treat their fear of 'witnessing' as excuse for inaction. Second they feel inadequately prepared and often that is indeed the case but that's a poor reason; practice and obedience is the cure for that. The third and probably the only perfectly valid reason for being 'scared', being prepared or as prepared as possible in one's simple witness, is we're about to block out Satan's strongholds. However 'prepared' one is we're an element of personal risk to one's character or reputation that can be uncomfortable; exciting being in the 'Spirit' but dangerous for we're totally vulnerable to the verities of humanity.
_____________________________
'I will never leave you nor forsake you.' (Joshua 1:5)
''Let the very worst thing come to pass[and]even there,
especially there; His hand will hold.' -Elisabeth Elliot-
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RE: Sharing your faith is scarry? - 10/21/2009 9:05:10 PM
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rollypolly
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Joined: 10/21/2009
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@ allisonbrett,
That is an excellent post on why we do not discuss our faith with new people.
May I quote some of your post,with a re-direct to your user name, at this forum?
I will await your answer.
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