Estrangement due to one’s faith is on the rise given the world situation. No doubt you have witnessed the great divide in families over religion and politics.

As a Christian woman, you are navigating an estranged relationship with a loved one that may be due to something completely unrelated to your faith. However, as the conflict increases, eventually it turns to an attack on your faith.

How do you respond to that? Do you defend your faith in estrangement? Do you stick to the root cause? Tune in with me today as I talk about this complicated issue that many women are faced with today. I’ll give you some biblical strategies to help lead you to peaceful solutions.

Faith is a Leading Cause of Estrangement

Would it surprise you to know that faith is a leading cause of estrangement today? We live in a divided world where families walk away from those who don’t agree with their politics or faith. Moreover, I witnessed statements on social media from people who clearly stated that if their followers voted a certain way, they should unfriend them.

As Bible believing women, we want to grow more like Christ. How difficult is that when you are dealing with a non-responsive adult child or family member who refuses to talk to you? And who attacks your religious beliefs?

I once received a text from someone that was upset with something unrelated, but it ended with “Don’t get me started on your politics and religion”. Interestingly, I hadn’t talked with that person about either. Nor do I post anything about it on social media. Where was it coming from?

Later, I discovered it came from someone who had made some assumptions. The relationships became estranged.

Have you experienced being misunderstood? Maligned in your beliefs by someone who hasn’t even had a conversation with you? It’s happening more frequently.

Faith and Estrangement – What God Says

1 Peter 4:12 says “Don’t be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to assess you as those something strange was happening to you.” Consequently, you and I are to expect trials and that includes those who challenge or mock our faith.

It’s through these trials that our faith is tested and refined. Do you find that your faith diminishes when someone mocks you for believing? Of course not. Many women say that their faith increases. Once you know Christ, you can’t not know him. He is part of who you are – the very fiber of your being.

Further, Matthew 5:11 and 12 says” Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and say all kinds of evil against you because of me.” Now, I know you don’t feel blessed and neither do I. But the truth of God’s word says to elevate your thinking here and know that He blesses you in these instances.

Finally, 1 Peter 4:14 “If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.”

In summation, God says that you and I are blessed when others insult us or mock us on account of our faith in Jesus. God knew that people, even family, would mock and insult you because of your faith and he tells us in advance that he blesses us, and he tells us how to respond.

Responding to Attacks on Faith

Natural is the response to defend your faith. Furthermore, you may feel the need to point out the attacker’s moral failures in an effort of defense. That isn’t God’s solution. I’m speaking from scripture and not my personal experience, because I fall into that category of defending my beliefs.

Let’s see what God says about a response to this attack on faith.

Luke 6:28 is a hard one. It says “Bless those who curse you. Pray for those who mistreat you.” Bless and pray? You’re not feeling that one, right? Neither did I?

Read Proverbs 9:7-8 as it warns against engaging with those who initiate unproductive debates.

As hard as it is, the best response for an attack on your faith is to be silent and pray. Jesus own example speaks volumes. When he was being held by religious leaders and accused of blasphemy he didn’t attack his accusers. In fact, when one of his disciples cut off the ear of one who came to arrest Jesus, he admonished his follower and healed the ear.

God does not need defending. He defends himself. And the best defense we can give is to be Christ like and respond as he teaches. Bless them. Pray for them.

Examine Your Actions and Words

Living out our Christian faith isn’t easy. It’s difficult to love someone who is attacking you or falsely accusing you. It’s equally hard to pray for them when all you really want is for Jesus to punish them for wrongdoing and bring justice.

Let’s digress and reflect upon words and actions of our own. No one is perfect – even once they give their life to Jesus. We’re forgiven. Still sinful but growing and learning to surrender those sins and live as the Bible teaches. And we aren’t left alone to do that. Jesus said God would send his spirit to live in us as his children.

You and I have the Holy Spirit to guide and counsel us. He will help us love our offenders and give us the ability to pray for them. But you must surrender your anger and resentment and ask for his help to do this. What will you get in return? Peace. Assurance. Wisdom. Discernment.

Do you need to surrender your angry or bitter feelings toward someone?

It’s hard, but will you ask the Holy Spirit to help you?

Will you resolve to grow in Christlikeness as you bless and pray for that person?

Drop the Labels as you Grow in Faith

Assigning labels is a dangerous task. Today, I see people label others as Democrat or Republican or Anti-Semitic. Consequently, we see one another as what we perceive those labels to be. Now, I do not like to use any politics in my messaging, but it is important to lay aside labels regardless of what side you are on.

Haven’t you heard people say, “How can you be a Democrat and a Christian?” Or how can you be a Republican and not stand up against war?” Please don’t take this the wrong way. My messaging is dropping the labels. Except for Child of God. That’s who you are as a Christian.

God is your father and you are his daughter. He loves you, is always with you and he wants to be in relationship with you.

The world has made every attempt to corner us on one side or the other and most often, against someone we love and care about. That’s not his desire.

A person can be aligned with a political party that disagrees with yours and still be a Christian. It isn’t the political party that determines their faith. Scripture tells us to look for the fruit of the spirit. We aren’t the judge. Find common ground and avoid labels and the natural tendency to pass judgment.

Will you attempt to drop labels and see people as God sees them? He created you and your loved one. While they may not share your faith, neither did the people in Jesus’ day who sought to kill them. On the cross, he prayed “Father forgive them for they know not what they do.” What would your relationships look like if you took that posture?

Even in Estrangement – Keep the Faith

Like me, you may have crossed the line and become combative in defending your faith. Consequently, estrangement may have ensued. As you reflect, it was a misunderstanding. The person never spoke to you directly. And if they had, things might have been different.

Alternatively, it may have been intentional. An effort to hurt you. Either way, Jesus wants our response to be consistent. Bless and pray for them.

How do you bless someone who is estranged?

Scriptures to Help You Keep the Faith

Ephesians 6: 10-18 “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.” Read this passage to learn about the full armor God provides for you.

Psalm 24:14 “Be brave and courageous; Don’t ever lose hope and keep waiting for God will never disappoint you.

Galatians 6:9 “Let us not become weary in doing good for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”

Meditate on these scriptures. Write them down and memorize them. They will be a help as you surrender your anger and bitterness and learn to respond in a godly manner to those who mock your faith.

We are living in perilous times my friend. It’s not easy being a Christian today. As one of my Pastor friends likes to say “Things aren’t falling apart. They are falling into place.”

God is with you and me. He provides his Holy Spirit to live in us and guides us as we face difficulties.

Estrangement is just one of those so keep the faith. Keep listening and together let’s continue to grow in our faith as God gives us help. Until next time, keep the faith and trust God with your estranged loved ones – even those who mock your faith and challenge your beliefs.

TOPIC: Podcast