Losing friends/family because of faith

[Okano]

As I've been growing up I've become acutely aware that many of my friends I had in school have gone in directions that are contrary to God's word. I don't know how to explain it, except that it can be very lonely because I've had to separate myself from them. Some family have rejected me because of my belief.

Following Christ can be lonely.

Anyone have similar experiences they'd like to share? Or any advice?

 

[7angels]

Jesus had a similar problem. the bible states that the servant is not able his master which tells us that if it happened to Jesus then you can expect it to happen to you.

also i know it is not easy to part with friends and loved ones. but taking a stand for Christ is not usually the easiest choice. if you think you are having award time try and remember those who are worst off then you are. for example there are a lot of christians around the world who are getting betrayed by friends and family or even are tortured and killed.

God bless

 

[Okano]

Jesus had a similar problem. the bible states that the servant is not able his master which tells us that if it happened to Jesus then you can expect it to happen to you.

also i know it is not easy to part with friends and loved ones. but taking a stand for Christ is not usually the easiest choice. if you think you are having award time try and remember those who are worst off then you are. for example there are a lot of christians around the world who are getting betrayed by friends and family or even are tortured and killed.

God bless

Thanks for the reply. You're right.

 

[Resha Caner]

It can be very lonely. When I was a child I feared I would never find a spouse because all of my friends and classmates were of starkly different views. I found that I didn't have to end friendships because of my faith - at least not all - even when we differed. But finding that deep relationship was a different matter.

It even seemed the kids at my church didn't really buy into what the church was preaching. The odd thing is, there was one girl who might have been of a similar view to me. The problem is I thought she was "out of my league", so I never even tried. My mistake, I suppose. I've always been curious what she thought of me, but since I did find that deep relationship - since I am now married - it's one of those awkward questions that will never be answered.

Anyway, I see my two sons going through similar struggles at the moment. We attend a Lutheran family camp on a regular basis so we can vacation among people of like mind. My kids love it, but the families come from such a distance that lasting friendships are difficult.

 

[Okano]

It can be very lonely. When I was a child I feared I would never find a spouse because all of my friends and classmates were of starkly different views. I found that I didn't have to end friendships because of my faith - at least not all - even when we differed. But finding that deep relationship was a different matter.

It even seemed the kids at my church didn't really buy into what the church was preaching. The odd thing is, there was one girl who might have been of a similar view to me. The problem is I thought she was "out of my league", so I never even tried. My mistake, I suppose. I've always been curious what she thought of me, but since I did find that deep relationship - since I am now married - it's one of those awkward questions that will never be answered.

Anyway, I see my two sons going through similar struggles at the moment. We attend a Lutheran family camp on a regular basis so we can vacation among people of like mind. My kids love it, but the families come from such a distance that lasting friendships are difficult.

Thank you for sharing. I've had a similar experience with girls as well. If I may ask ,(you don't have to answer) what do you tell your sons about finding friendship or companionship while remaining true to Christ?

 

[Resha Caner]

Thank you for sharing. I've had a similar experience with girls as well. If I may ask ,(you don't have to answer) what do you tell your sons about finding friendship or companionship while remaining true to Christ?

I don't have one wise answer that fixes everything. It's a day by day thing.

As I said, I think you can make friends with people who don't share your faith. I think that helps.

In the meantime it's a matter of seeking God's will. God is faithful to us. I hope the example of me and my wife will give them hope for the future - that there are other Christians and they also want that deep relationship, and so it will happen someday. In practical terms, until I found someone I waited by keeping busy. I poured myself into the things that interested me.

 

[ConfuseddotCom]

Why did you have to separate yourself from them?

 

[LilLamb219]

As I've been growing up I've become acutely aware that many of my friends I had in school have gone in directions that are contrary to God's word. I don't know how to explain it, except that it can be very lonely because I've had to separate myself from them. Some family have rejected me because of my belief.

Following Christ can be lonely.

Anyone have similar experiences they'd like to share? Or any advice?

I have friends and family who have different beliefs/faiths. I stick around to plant good seeds and to be a Little Christ amongst them.

 

[A New Dawn]

Why did you have to separate yourself from them?

For me, separating from them happened only because there were not many activities we both felt comfortable doing together. I like to be home with family, doing family-type things, friends who were more into the party scene did not want to do those things. The separation wasn't purposeful, but more that we drifted apart.

 

[Ubuntu]

Being converted meant that I've lost contact with a lot of friends. You kind of drift away from each other when you're bound for heaven, while your friends are occupied with the things of this earth. More specifically, I didn't feel that I could continue boozing when I became a Christian, and sadly this makes you an alien in the eyes of many people.

On the other hand, becoming a Christian means that you become a part of a new family, so even if I've lost some friends, I've gained new ones.

 

[Jesusisgood]

I have that same in my life but it is as Christ said people will hate you for His names sake. But it is well worth it to me.

 

[TransmitterTech]

My family rejected me in a different way. For decades the rule at family gatherings was "don't talk about religion or politics and we'll get along fine". The result of that is a family that has a pretend love for each other. No one opens their heart. Talk is confined to mundane things. After decades of this I felt that the Lord gave me permission to separate myself from them. I tried to minister to them over the years but hearts became harder and harder as the years went by. The final straw for me was their liberalism and support for abortion, homosexuality, and the atheist agenda. I'm not saying everyone should make the decision to separate from unbelievers because God may not be through using you in that situation. I am at peace with my decision even though my Christian children don't understand it. I encourage them to take over where I left off and continue to be in the midst of them and look for opportunities to minister to them. They don't agree with my decision but they have made it clear they still love me. (It's not, and should not be, an easy decision to make!)

 

[Emmy]

Dear Okano. In Matthew 22: 35-40: Jesus tells us: " The first and great Commandment is: Love God with all our hearts, with all our souls, and with all our minds. The second is like it: Love our neighbour as we love ourselves."
On these two Commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets. ( words of Jesus) God wants our love, freely given and No conditions tagged on. Love is a Christian`s great weapon, and Love is very catching. The Bible tells us:
" Repent and be Born Again," give up our selfish words and deeds, let Love and Compassion lead us every time, and people have no reason to dislike us for this, Love will overcome all anger and wrong behaviour.
Start by treating all you know and all you meet, friends and not friends, treat them with Love and Compassion, and you will find people treat you the same as you treat people, Love overcomes all wrong thoughts and words. We might stumble and forget at times, but then we ask God to forgive us, and carry on loving and caring. Faith is wonderful, but even Faith needs spoken with Love.
Matthew 7: 7-10: tells us:" ask and you shall receive," ask for Love and Joy,
then thank God and share all with all around you: your neighbour.
Jesus our Saviour will help and guide us: JESUS IS THE WAY. Love is a winner, NEVER a Loser. I say this with love, Okano. Greetings from Emmy,
your sister in Christ.

 

[Doctor Strangelove]

It can be lonely. If you have a sacramental view of Baptism and the Lord's Supper, if your church observes a liturgy, other Christians are likely to see you as an odd sort of heretic. What is called American Evangelicalism is completely from the Radical reformers, and often I feel like I have a different point of reference and almost a different language from a lot of the people around me.

I imagine that, say, a Baptist who lives in a predominantly Catholic or Lutheran area might have a similar feeling of being misunderstood and disconnected.

 

[nigheandonn]

I'm so sorry you're going through this. I lost someone very important to me recently for what I suspect was a similar reason, and it hurts, not just because I lost this person, but even more so because I hate seeing them spiritually lost. I've had a tough time with it, so I'm not in much of a position to give you advice, but if nothing else, pray for the people who have rejected you because of your faith. Even if you never speak to them again, pray for their salvation and love them. "Love your enemy and pray for those who persecute you."

 

[annafullofgrace]

We certainly have some family that thinks we are weird Christians simply because we go to church and are heavily involved. I have lost a friend because she is an atheist and was bothered by us being Christian, well, not so much that we are Christian, but that our views differed so much on sensitive topics, ex. We are prolife and our belief on what a marriage should consist of according to Gods word.

However, we have had quite a few friends and family decide to check out this 'Jesus stuff' as one family member called it. My parents are now coming to church, my nephew is attending Sunday school-no church yet, but the spirit is at work in my brother. He's asked us to bring my nephew to church as well. I have cousins who are coming now...it's a beautiful thing.

We are not trying to offend anyone....just living our lives and hopefully being lights and planting seeds.

 

[faroukfarouk]

We certainly have some family that thinks we are weird Christians simply because we go to church and are heavily involved. I have lost a friend because she is an atheist and was bothered by us being Christian, well, not so much that we are Christian, but that our views differed so much on sensitive topics, ex. We are prolife and our belief on what a marriage should consist of according to Gods word.

However, we have had quite a few friends and family decide to check out this 'Jesus stuff' as one family member called it. My parents are now coming to church, my nephew is attending Sunday school-no church yet, but the spirit is at work in my brother. He's asked us to bring my nephew to church as well. I have cousins who are coming now...it's a beautiful thing.

We are not trying to offend anyone....just living our lives and hopefully being lights and planting seeds.

It's what Christian testimony is all about! Some people are attracted to the light. Others are repelled by it. Our daily challenge is to stay consistently Biblical; prayer and Scripture reading are so essential in the Christian life. God bless your family.

 

[annafullofgrace]

It's what Christian testimony is all about! Some people are attracted to the light. Others are repelled by it. Our daily challenge is to stay consistently Biblical; prayer and Scripture reading are so essential in the Christian life. God bless your family.

Thank you for your kind words. They are very much appreciated! Have a blessed day!