Tim Maas Retired Quality Assurance Specialist with the U.S. Army

Although life is undoubtedly made easier by support from family and friends (who should ideally be the very last people who would be malicious or hurtful toward a person), believers must ultimately depend and draw comfort from God, and from His word (the Bible).

Jesus did not promise a life of ease to His disciples, but told them that they would be hated for their discipleship, even to the point of being handed over by their own family members to be killed (Mark 13:9-13). However, along with that bleak picture, Jesus also made a promise: "But he who endures to the end will be saved."

I'd say that you should do your utmost to testify to your faith in your own life and conduct, and (as Paul said in Romans 12:18), if it is possible, as far as it depends on you, to live at peace with everyone. (To me, Paul's words imply that, even if you are doing everything you can, there may still be people who (for their own (and perhaps totally baseless) reasons) choose to live in enmity toward you. 

Beyond that, I would say that you ultimately cannot control such unfounded malice on the part of others. You should avoid or ignore those people (if possible); live in such a manner that people hearing any lies that are being spread about you will not believe them; try to find a support group of other believers (such as a church) that you can turn to for comfort; and, above all, remain close to God in prayer and in the study of His word for strength and consolation.

August 02 2017 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Jamie Brown

It is my experience that any Christian that finds themselves in this position has most likely gone through a major life event wether it be negative or positive. I must admit that I have encountered something similar during my life. Just some background that may help you understand. About ten years ago something happened that caused me to be publicly embarrassed, I lost my seventeen year career, my family, my reputation, my church, friends, and any chance to ever have a career in the field I was in.

No one would talk to me, my friends and family disowned me even my mother and father, my wife filed for divorce and took my five year old son everything God had blessed me with throughout my professional career and marriage were just gone. I had nothing no money, place to live, and no one would offer a helping hand. I even tried to go back to church and believe this or not was asked by two of the deacons, of which I was one before this happened, not to come back, that it might be better that I seek to attend church elsewhere. Now I don't know about your situation but I was about as low as a person can be. I lost hope, I was angry with God I shouted and blasphemed Him, and like Job I cursed the day I was born I asked God to kill me every day. 

But I am the type of person who doesn't give up easily I don't like to loose. I wish I could tell you things, after almost ten years, have gotten better but I can't, they have over time become more tolerable but I still can't find employment and a few friends and family have come around but only after learning the truth. This happened to me because I did my job I didn't discriminate between people and it painted a target on my back. 

I've stayed physically strong and healthy my mental status has suffered and my psychological status but my Christianity has grown beyond anything I could have ever imagined. 

I would like to say that I have the answers your looking for according to what you've been through but I can't only God can. Through Gods grace and the talents He has given to me have allowed me to endure the gossip, lies, and loss and in some ways grow that I never would have if my life had stayed the same.

I've learned that talking and praying to God, at least for me are different and being able to forgive those that hurt me has helped me stay the strongest. I pray that you will remember what Christ said,"We live in this world not of it". When the only advice people give is to pray, well you do that and pray, but when you ask others for help or even an opportunity to prove that your not what you've been labeled and they do nothing but offer advice seek help elsewhere. Most people are afraid that if they go on a limb and really help people like you and me they might suffer loss, people might start to talk about them but don't blame them it's not something they are even aware of.

Stay strong both physically and mentally don't cope in a way that will hurt your body and faith, walk tall be polite and be aware. Words and idle talk can not hurt you they are just words, they may irritate you but if your strong God will guide you and provide you with His whole armor. Fight the good fight, keep the faith, and finish the race. May God bless and keep you my friend.

October 06 2017 • 1 response • Vote Up • Share • Report