Everyone Needs to Feel Safe

There is so much anger around us these days. Political divides. Religious divides. It’s even evident when driving on the freeway. We see all sorts of ugly and angry around us. Heaven knows we all need to feel safe in our worlds.

So what do you do?

Let’s keep our focus on where the payoff comes from. Jesus said, “… By this [the new command he gave the apostles] everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

It isn’t always easy, but you don’t go wrong following God’s word.

What does that kind of love look like?

It can be as simple as opening a door for someone, or as challenging as taking time to listen to someone’s view when it differs from yours. Everyone feels their perspective is best. Truly, they wouldn’t hold their opinion unless they thought it was correct.

Consider this … if we listened to what they listened to, read what they read, or experienced what they experienced, maybe we would feel the way they feel. That’s why it’s important to have opinions grounded in unchangeable truths.

Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.
Psalms 25:5

Opinions

People say opinions are like belly buttons… everybody has one. Can we honor those around us who support a different viewpoint than ours? Let’s be strong enough in our beliefs so as not to be threatened by theirs. Consider how Jesus–this man-God–dealt with people. He loved them, even though their thoughts were faulty. He saved his ire for the pompous Pharisees, the folks who thought they knew everything. We read throughout the gospels how he changed lives through his actions.

Actions That Make Others Feel Safe

No one has ever been won over by an argument, they just give in to stop the fight. Click To Tweet

No one has ever been won over by an argument, they just give in to stop the fight. Instead, consider giving them the space to feel and think what they want. No name-calling, no falsehoods, and no gaslighting. Jesus never used any of those tactics. If our convictions don’t stand on their own, nothing we can say will win anyone over.

This is what God wants. When you do right, you stop foolish men from saying bad things.
1 Peter 2:15

The Bottom Line

The bottom line is this: pray for those who differ from us (Mattew 5:44), honor them with truth (Luke 6:27-28), and then trust God. If he needs to change their heart he can. But don’t play God. He loved those who set out to destroy him. Remember, everyone needs to feel safe. The least we can do is love those who see things differently than we do.

What say you?

What do you wonder about?  Are you happy … or are you doing what you never thought you’d do? Do you see consistencies … or are you all over the place? Drop me a line. I’d love to chat.

Struggling to find good in your life? Check out my award-winning book, God’s Best During Your Worst, or check out any of my other books on my Book page.