Bible Discussion Thread

 
  • Jacquie - 2 years ago
    Firstly, I do not, in any way question my faith or have questions of understanding it. I am very territorial of my relationship with Christ: it is common my every day speech projects my faith in deep understanding with study, devotion, prayer, and life choices.

    A new family moved next door to my daughter and I. It is a young couple that when they moved in, something immediately stirred in me. I would have thought it was just me, but other surrounding neighbors (even some regular homeless) have an uncomfortably unapproving feeling toward the couple. There are the many little things they do. I have filed - twice for restraining order because the young man seems to find it a game to follow me in his car. I then drop the charges because I don't want to subject my time in court on the nature of the neighbors. So I ignore them at the most. They seem to "taunt" for attention regardless - perhaps bullying or harassing?

    In all regard, I have NEVER felt the aversion I feel when they are visible to me, and I am really having a hard time with it. Through the past Lent and Passover, of which I focus on multiple exercises of faith I uphold - fasting, breaking bread (at home), special praying time, etc., it was as if the neighbors kicked up their heels and in the darkest way pursued pokes - it wasn't my imagination. The young lady exited her backyard egress and walked around to the front where I was sweeping. She appeared in front of me with her phone recording me. I asked her - at first - to walk away, and she persisted to provoke me. I don't know where it came from, but I yelled at her to go away, and it became a justification for her to record further. I've witnessed other random people threaten to call police on them for similar harassment.

    I need prayer to address my very deep feelings of aversion, and a spiritual shield of protection against the neighbors. I have forgiven, and assumed grace toward them. I've given them over to God, but still am consumed w/aversion.
  • Gabriel - In Reply - 2 years ago
    This is a very tough one. I would urge you to be nice to them. Do not give them the reaction that they are looking for. The Bible says be kind your enemies for it is like keeping hot coals of fire on their heads. I know we all fail at this we all let our emotions get the best of us me included. If you give them the reaction they are looking for they are going to keep doing it over and over again and it's only going to get worse for you. Is only when you pray and trust in God and say God is my vindicator that things will get better because God is our great defender.
  • Jacquie - In Reply - 2 years ago
    Gabriel,

    Thank you for responding. It's not a hard one if you accepted the prayer request, rather than make an attempt to analyze and inject your perspective in a situation, it becomes wrong for everyone. I am not seeking instruction on how to conduct myself with the neibor. I made a prayer request. I'm more troubled by your perspective of me.

    I'm not sure how your "prayer" can benefit here on that judgement.
  • Adam - In Reply - 2 years ago
    Dear Jacquie,

    That's unfortunate you have to be in this situation. I am dealing with neighbors too presently and having a challenging time knowing how to be loving while also protecting myself.

    Luke 6:35

    Matthew 5:44

    Luke 10:27

    You might consider praying for them as it says in Matthew. Luke says God is kind to the unthankful and evil, and we should be too. I don't believe this means to be a doormat or allow ourselves to be unprotected or be taken advantage of, however. Jesus fled the Romans out of danger, for example (initially). Paul fled danger and people trying to do him harm many times.

    Sometimes the imagination of someone's motives can be falsely attributed and is helpful to sort out what actually has happened that may be illegal or harmful that you have witnessed and try to separate from other feelings or assumptions. For example, it's possibly anyone's behavior might seem suspicious if they don't know what is really behind it. For example, a lady in my neighborhood acted like I was suspicious and she opened her window to warn me away, but I was not on her property but just looking over a fence at the end of the street. I didn't tell her that I saw a backyard BBQ fire that I was checking on that I thought could possibly have put everyone's lives in danger in that community. I didn't explain because I didn't want to give false alarm until I really knew if it was a threat and ended up being mostly smoke and died down. Sometimes it helps to give people the benefit of the doubt because we need it for ourselves too.

    God bless.
  • Jacquie - In Reply - 2 years ago
    Hi Adam - following is a cleaned up version for clarity:

    Thank you for your response. I do understand the inclinations we can harbor - especially when it is driven by aversion. By the first two weeks these neibors moved in, the young man was sitting in a patrol car due to an assault, and the "wife" provided information against what I had witnessed. So basically, that was the introduction to the kind of people out neiborhood would receive, of which no one is pleased. Thus, the basis my aversion and its continuity. I've done things out of love in order to diminish my aversion; love as per Luke, Matthew, and Christ. As you suggested, likewise from a police officer - "keep yourself protected." I'm not a dead possum, thus have never been inclined to enable anyone to take advantage of me. Protectors are as headstrong as predatory individuals, just separated by the mere motives.

    My inquiry is about the aversive feelings I have - no instructions on how to conduct myself with these troublesome individuals. I cannot recall ever feeling this way toward anyone. As mentioned in the initial statement, even the friendly homesteaders in the neiborhood harbor similar aversion - and these are very kind people who I feel a strong love toward. Isn't that interesting that we all, universally, are experiencing the same aversive feelings toward this couple? When I see the young man walking in a distance - he appears very dark. The young lady is constantly in friction with the local neibors.

    Unfortunately, my daughter and I live the closest to them. I guess that closeness causes me to draw more aversion in that I have to encounter them daily. I use to extend courtesies only, because I'm kind, but police have suggested I might want to stop even that.

    Thank you for the direct scripture references to daily meditate on - daily, in asking God to remove this aversion emotion from my heart. This feeling is what I had asked for prayers.

    I really do appreciate your communication!
  • Jacquewyn - In Reply - 2 years ago
    Hello Adam,

    Thank you for your response. I do understand the inclinations we can harbor - especially when it is rendered by aversion. In the two weeks these neibors moved in, the young man was sitting in a patrol car due to an assault, and the "wife" provided information against what I had witnessed. So basically, this was the introduction to the kind of people out neibor hood now has, of which no one is pleased. Thus, my aversion. I've done things out of love in order to diminish my aversion, and love as per Like, Matthew, Christ. As you suggested, likewise with a police officer - keep yourself protected. I'm not a dead possum, thus have never been inclined to enable anyone to take advantage of me. Protectors are as headstrong as predatory individuals, just separated by the mere motives.

    My inquiry is about the aversive feelings I have - no instructions on how to conduct myself with these troublesome individuals. I cannot recall ever feeling this way toward anyone. As mentioned in the initial statement, even the friendly homesteaders in the neibors harbor similar aversion - and these are very kind people who I feel a strong love toward. Isn't that interesting that we all universally are experiencing the same aversive feelings toward this couple? When I see the young man walking in a distance - he appears very dark. The young lady is constantly in friction with the local neibors.

    Unfortunately, my daughter and I love the closest to them. I guess that closeness causes me to encourage more aversion in that I have to encounter them daily. I use to extend courtesies only, because I'm kind, but police have suggested I might want to stop even that.

    Thank you for the scripture references I can use to daily meditate on - daily, in asking Good to remove this aversion emotion from my heart. I don't like the feeling at all.

    Thanks for your communication. I really do appreciate it!
  • Free - In Reply - 2 years ago
    Dear "Jacquie", so sad for you and get quarrelsome as neighbors. We can assume that the couple are not believers, I would probably go to the police if they do not understand what you meant. Another thing that might be good to do now. Is to gather as many neighbors as possible, who have been in a similar situation with these people before you go to the Police. It may sting a little more when they see that you are a united flock of neighbors who do not find themselves in such as what you explained.

    You just do not do that, as this lady did. Not even on peas with adults.

    God bless u and yours in Jesus name, and know that you are washed clean in the blood of Jesus. Matthew 18
  • Jacquie - In Reply - 2 years ago
    Hello Free,

    I appreciate you responding. As I addressed another responder, I did not inquire on how to handle the situation, at all. I inquired about a feeling of aversion. And I just want some prayer warriors on my behalf in my efforts to diminish to eliminate that feeling in my heart. I have always believed in being kind to people, and I like to extend kindness. These individuals are surely "dark" as neiboring homesteaders also share the same aversive feelings toward these neibors. So there is something certainly dark in them.

    My aversion I have toward them - may I ask for your prayer as I continue to pray to diminish this from my heart? Or am I on the wrong platform? I had asked for prayers.
  • Free - In Reply - 2 years ago
    Oh dear prayer request is another side. But thank u for responding back. U deliver ur quest in discussion side. Thats why i answer u. To be a friend.

    But i pray for all ppl in here that include u as well. Every day ill thank for u all. Hope to see u again soon an as we pray. Jesus will answer in His time.

    Stay blessed in His Holy Name Jesus Christ. Please forgive me. A Word come to me right now 1 Corintihans 13.
  • Jacquie - In Reply - 2 years ago
    You are correct - I just realized I am in a different thread than intended. Thank you. (I like to spell out every word I use - it's a good practice...)



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