Those are opportunities to plant the seeds of conversion. It’s good to be angry about mis-teachings, about breaking the commandments, in those cases, it’s a major one, Though shalt not bear false witness. Know this though, as the faithful, we will be rejected by the world, and those people are of the world, so don’t expect to be treated any differently. We are in the world, but not of the world, and always know that, never stoop down to their level. It’s not to say there is something wrong with the fire and brimstone speeches, but make sure they have refused to listen to your logic first. I get angry with people that cut down my faith, and Mary is my soft spot, you can say anything you want about my maternal relatives, just don’t go into my spiritual ones or you are crossing that line.
Several months ago, I was in a burger king, eating a meal, and overheard these guys at the table next to me talking about one of their clients, an old man in his 80’s seeking divorce from his wife, of I believe, 40+ year marriage. Towards the end of the meal, I interjected, asking him if the old guy has ever read the bible, “I just happened to stumbled upon where Christ mentions marriage, just prior”. He tells me that the bible is a fairy tail like many fairy tails that exist. Of course, I faced a wave of anger, yet kept my composure, opting to drag him into a logical debate, and I believe our Lord gave me the words to say. I asked him what he does for a living, he tells me he’s self employed, I told him I am as well, I asked him where he works at, he tells me at his home, I told him I’m pretty much the same. I ask him how it’s doing, he tells me it’s up and down due to the economy, I think he was into finance, or some thing, don’t recall, but it’s something a lot of people use.
I lost my appetite the moment he mentioned what he did about the bible, so while I was discussing this with him, was packing up my food to toss it away. Upon leaving, I held up my bible, for I was reading it there, and looked him in the eye, told him I’m giving him some business advice. I said, when you are out in public, you never know with the people you bump into can become a potential client, that he should keep his opinions such as pertaining to the bible to himself or risk losing a much needed sale…his buddy that was there, wisely kept his mouth shut the whole time in regards to the guys statement about the bible, busted up laughing, knowing full well, I spoke the truth and the advice I gave him was wise.
You see how not letting anger get the best of me, using logic and tact, and I believe the Lords intervention, to give me the proper words to say, turned the tables completely around. The guy was speechless, was totally put into his place and humbled in the process. I doubt he’s going to be spouting off like that in public any more in regards to our faith…
