Duty to family ... even if they're mean?

[Ravemacneil]

How does one deal with close family in a loving, and Christian way, forgiving for their trespasses, if they continually seek to harm oneself?

If they ridicule and make accusations and feel threatened so much by my life and beliefs as to use every encounter as an opportunity to scorn? Sometimes passive-agressively, often times rudely and directly.

And what if there’s some mental illness involved? Does that excuse their behaviour?

I don’t want to abandon blood family members, especially not to have compassion for the parts based on sicknesses, but they will seek to make me abandoned to the broader community of those who believe in goodness, in objective values, in not being angry and rebellious about everything!

If my faith is but a newly sprouted shoot, they seek purposefully to stomp it until it’s dead, as to not do so denies them the foundation of their very anarchistic, atheist perspective.

I’m so torn on this. Scripture or any source of either advice or comfort would be greatly appreciated.

When am I moral to walk the other way and save myself from this indignity, or must it be my Scourge? Is that what God intends in this situation?

†Blessings for taking the time to read this,
RMN

 

[CWBetts]

How does one deal with close family in a loving, and Christian way, forgiving for their trespasses, if they continually seek to harm oneself?

If they ridicule and make accusations and feel threatened so much by my life and beliefs as to use every encounter as an opportunity to scorn? Sometimes passive-agressively, often times rudely and directly.

And what if there’s some mental illness involved? Does that excuse their behaviour?

I don’t want to abandon blood family members, especially not to have compassion for the parts based on sicknesses, but they will seek to make me abandoned to the broader community of those who believe in goodness, in objective values, in not being angry and rebellious about everything!

If my faith is but a newly sprouted shoot, they seek purposefully to stomp it until it’s dead, as to not do so denies them the foundation of their very anarchistic, atheist perspective.

I’m so torn on this. Scripture or any source of either advice or comfort would be greatly appreciated.

When am I moral to walk the other way and save myself from this indignity, or must it be my Scourge? Is that what God intends in this situation?

†Blessings for taking the time to read this,
RMN

Remember we have our crosses to bear. Give up your suffering to Jesus to help you grow in the Lord. Remember your silent witness may eventually lead them to loving arms of Jesus

 

[JohnDamian]

Ravemacneil; it is very brave of you to have the courage to follow the faith despite what your family says or does. It is was the same with my family until I converted them; but when I was living as a young man in a household that had no respect and downright insulting perspectives on religion it was very challenging.

You are certainly not alone - all I can reccomend is if your family is unwilling to support you in your faith; get more involed in the Church. Through patience; prayer and charity you will win your family over.

If there is anything specifically that they criticise about the Church that you are having difficulty in defending; don’t hesistate to ask here; or in a message for advice - we would all be happy to help and explain any misunderstandings and provide information.

Take O Lord, and receive my entire liberty, my memory, my understanding and my whole will. All that I am and all that I possess You have given me: I surrender it all to You to be disposed of according to Your will. Give me only Your love and Your grace; with these I will be rich enough, and will desire nothing more. Amen

 

[Ravemacneil]

Accept my deep thanks for the quick replies.

Because of the wise things said, I realize it would be better right now to be praying to Christ before my crucifix than sit here so sad before my monitor screen.

To John, there is no good faith discussions possible. There’s a lot of anger and hate and dismissiveness, even hints of violence, and the firm attitude that all of God is denial, delusion, being afraid, and stuck it the past.

Yet I’m the one who lives unafraid, who has relationships with others, who accepts with humility and not rationalized denials my many (many!) faults, who looks forward to the future because only now, with God, am I finally, truly living my life.

How frustrating…

Off to pray, to surrender it to Christ, to try hard to live up to the wisdom of CW and find the strength to bear “silent witness”.

Thanks for the wise † words,
RMN

 

[Scoobyshme]

How does one deal with close family in a loving, and Christian way, forgiving for their trespasses, if they continually seek to harm oneself?

If they ridicule and make accusations and feel threatened so much by my life and beliefs as to use every encounter as an opportunity to scorn? Sometimes passive-agressively, often times rudely and directly.

And what if there’s some mental illness involved? Does that excuse their behaviour?

I don’t want to abandon blood family members, especially not to have compassion for the parts based on sicknesses, but they will seek to make me abandoned to the broader community of those who believe in goodness, in objective values, in not being angry and rebellious about everything!

If my faith is but a newly sprouted shoot, they seek purposefully to stomp it until it’s dead, as to not do so denies them the foundation of their very anarchistic, atheist perspective.

I’m so torn on this. Scripture or any source of either advice or comfort would be greatly appreciated.

When am I moral to walk the other way and save myself from this indignity, or must it be my Scourge? Is that what God intends in this situation?

†Blessings for taking the time to read this,
RMN

It’s easy to be nice to those who are nice to us. Even atheists do that! What makes us Christian is when we are nice to those who aren’t nice to us.

Look at this as an opportunity to show real love. Remember, love is not a feeling, it’s a decision in favor of the beloved.