The eye roll when you pray before the meal. The joke about church. The remark that you've been brainwashed. It hurts when the people who know you best belittle what matters most to you.
Faith doesn't need a debate
You don't have to defend yourself at the holiday table. Jesus himself was mocked. Staying calm often says more than winning an argument. Their verbal digs are not a verdict on your faith. Instead, they were predicted by Christ:
If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. (John 15:18, ESV)
Be ready to understand that their distain for your faith is distain for God.
Let your life speak
Kindness, patience, and steadiness are a quiet witness. You can pray silently, pray for your relatives by name, and be the same person at the table that you are at church. Your calm presence shows them your faith is real, not fragile.
"But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect." (1 Peter 3:15, ESV)
And if someone does ask why you believe what you believe, have a 30-second response ready to go. Be prepared to make your case.
One step this week
Pick one family member who dismisses your faith, and begin praying for them by name.
You don't have to do this alone
Reach out for a free conversation: 763-458-3722 or onpathcounseling.com.
