Tag: Colossians 3:12

Hey Christians: Stop Being ‘Nice’! The Dangerous Comfort of Christian Passivity

Posted on by thechristiantechnerd

Stop Being ‘Nice’: The Dangerous Comfort of Christian Passivity

As Christians, we are called to love and serve others. This is a commandment from our Lord, expressed clearly in scripture. In Colossians 3:12, we are instructed: “Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience.” These qualities are beautiful and essential in our walk with Christ. We are to embody kindness, compassion, and understanding in all we do, following the example of Christ Himself.

However, there is a danger in becoming too nice. While kindness and compassion are vital aspects of the Christian faith, there is a fine line between being kind and being too nice. When we cross that line, we may unintentionally harm ourselves and others, despite our good intentions.

In a world that often celebrates the idea of being “nice,” we need to pause and reflect on whether we are embracing God’s call to live with purpose and strength or if we are falling into the dangerous comfort of Christian passivity. This passive niceness can ultimately leave us feeling overwhelmed, resentful, and drained, all while we avoid the harder but necessary aspects of our faith, like confrontation and standing up for what is right.

The Problem with Being Too Nice

When we are too nice, we often prioritize the needs and desires of others over our own. It sounds loving and generous, but the reality is that consistently neglecting our own needs can lead to burnout and a lack of fulfillment. If we are constantly seeking to please others, we may forget that we too have limits, desires, and emotions that matter to God.

The danger of always putting others first is that it can create a pattern of resentment. Over time, we may begin to feel unappreciated or even taken advantage of. Proverbs 4:23 reminds us, “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” If we are not careful, neglecting our own emotional and spiritual needs can harm our hearts and ultimately hinder our ability to serve others in the way God intends.

Furthermore, being too nice often causes us to avoid difficult conversations or uncomfortable situations. We may choose to let things slide when we should be addressing them. Maybe someone has hurt us, but we avoid confrontation because we don’t want to upset them. Or perhaps we see someone behaving in a way that’s not in line with God’s will, but we hold back from speaking out because we don’t want to rock the boat. In doing so, we allow unresolved issues to fester, often causing more harm in the long run.

God calls us to be truthful and loving, not passive. Ephesians 4:15 tells us to “speak the truth in love”. This means we are to be honest, but in a way that is gentle and compassionate. We should never shy away from the hard things that need to be said, but we must say them with love, humility, and grace.

Why Setting Boundaries Is Crucial

One of the most important things we can do as Christian women is to set boundaries. Matthew 7:12 tells us, “So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them.” If we want others to respect our time, energy, and emotions, we must first learn to respect ourselves by setting healthy boundaries.

Setting boundaries doesn’t mean we don’t love or serve others—it means that we are protecting ourselves so we can continue to serve in a way that honors God. Luke 6:31 says, “And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them.” Just as we seek respect and care from others, we must learn to protect ourselves from being overwhelmed by the needs of others, lest we lose the ability to serve effectively.

If you are someone who struggles to say “no,” remember that saying “no” to something that doesn’t align with your priorities or values is not a rejection of others. It is an affirmation of your own worth and well-being. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 reminds us that “you are not your own; you were bought with a price.” We belong to God, and we must steward our bodies, minds, and spirits wisely, which includes knowing when to set limits.

Communicate Effectively and Speak Up

Being a Christian doesn’t mean we should accept mistreatment or allow others to walk all over us. Philippians 2:4 encourages us to “Let each of you look not only to his own interests but also to the interests of others.” We are called to care for others, but we are also called to protect our hearts and be honest when something isn’t right.

When someone crosses your boundaries or takes advantage of your kindness, it’s essential to speak up. Proverbs 27:5 teaches, “Better is open rebuke than hidden love.” Confronting others in love, though difficult, is sometimes necessary to maintain healthy relationships and protect your own well-being. This doesn’t mean being rude or attacking; it simply means that you communicate with clarity, truth, and respect.

Jesus Himself modeled this for us. He didn’t shy away from hard conversations, whether it was confronting the Pharisees or addressing His disciples about their misunderstanding of His mission. Matthew 23:33 shows Jesus’ boldness in truth when He called the Pharisees out, saying, “You serpents, you brood of vipers, how are you to escape being sentenced to hell?” While this is a strong rebuke, Jesus’ actions were motivated by His love for them and His desire for them to turn from their ways. This is the example we are to follow—speaking the truth with love, even when it’s uncomfortable.

Take Care of Yourself

As women of faith, we often pour ourselves into the lives of others—our families, our friends, and our communities. But in doing so, we sometimes forget the importance of caring for ourselves. Mark 6:31 shows us that even Jesus recognized the need for rest: “And he said to them, ‘Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while.’” We need to prioritize our own emotional, physical, and spiritual health if we want to continue serving others in the way God intends.

Taking time for self-care is not selfish; it’s a form of stewardship. 1 Corinthians 10:31 tells us, “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” We glorify God by caring for the body He has entrusted to us and ensuring that we are well-rested and spiritually nourished.

Stand Up for Yourself and Others

As Christians, we are not meant to be passive observers in the face of injustice. In Luke 4:18, Jesus proclaims, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed.” Just as Jesus stood up for the marginalized, we too are called to advocate for justice and truth. Whether it’s standing up for someone who’s being mistreated or speaking out against societal injustices, we must be bold in our faith.

A Prayer for Boldness and Strength

Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank You for the beautiful example of love, kindness, and strength that You’ve shown through Jesus. I pray for boldness to live according to Your will and to stand firm in my faith, even when it’s difficult. Help me to balance kindness with truth, compassion with boundaries, and service with self-care. Give me the courage to speak up when I need to, and the wisdom to know when to set healthy limits. May I always seek to glorify You in all I do.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Conclusion

Being kind and compassionate is at the heart of our Christian faith. However, we must also remember that God calls us to live with courage, wisdom, and strength. We are not meant to live in passivity or fear of confrontation. Let us be bold, loving, and wise, reflecting God’s love in all we do—while also taking care of our hearts and standing firm in His truth.

How Christians Should Handle Conflict

Posted on by thechristiantechnerd

Are you confused about conflict? You are not alone.

As Christians, we are expected to love and show kindness to everyone.

But this doesn’t mean that we should always go along with what they say.

Quite the opposite, actually.

Conflict is a normal part of relationships.

And having genuine arguments is a good thing.

They allow us to see situations from different angles and come closer to one another.

Conflict becomes problematic, however, when it is not handled properly.

This is when it causes a lot of stress and discomfort.

That’s why I want to give you an easy way to approach conflict…

So that both parties always derive some benefit from it.

One of the key principles is to listen actively to the other person’s perspective.

This means truly trying to understand their point of view, without interrupting or becoming defensive.

When we listen to others, we show respect for their opinions and walk one step closer toward resolution.

Another important principle is to speak the truth in love.

We should always be honest with others.

But we must do so in a way that is loving and kind. 

If you are used to avoiding conflict, I understand.

When I was in high school, or even my first few semesters in college, I would also try to escape heated arguments, thinking that was the right thing to do.

But this slowly got me into bad situations, that could have been avoided if I chose to argue with the people around me.

Conflict exists to solve problems.

And there is nothing wrong with arguing with respect and love.

I understand that it can be very difficult, sometimes even awkward in the beginning.

But we should remember that God is on our side.

And that we can always pray for guidance and wisdom.

God will always aid us in navigating conflict in a healthy way that honors Him.

So instead of running away from it, let’s embrace it and evolve our relationships.

Do You Make This Mistake In Your Relationships?

As Christians, we are often taught to show love to the people around us.

And that’s a delightful way to live.

By following God’s Will, we make the world a finer place.

And we assist others in staying on the right path.

But sometimes, we forget something essential.

When we focus too much on others, we sometimes neglect to extend the same kindness to ourselves.

I used to make that mistake in the past.

I went above and beyond to assist everyone else, but I wouldn’t show the same love toward myself.

And this kept me stressed and pressured.

But I was the one who put that pressure on myself.

It took me a long time to realize that I should treat myself like I treated my loved ones.

With empathy, understanding, and compassion.

When I started doing that, my stress began to melt away.

And my mental health recovered.

I want to make sure that you are not making the same mistake.

Remember, our Heavenly Father loves us unconditionally, and we are deserving of that same love.

In the words of the apostle Paul, “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience” (Colossians 3:12).

When we show ourselves compassion and grace, we follow Jesus’ example.

Jesus understands our struggles and is patient with us, so we should also be patient with ourselves.

Showing ourselves kindness should be taught in every school and every church.

It strengthens our faith and improves our health. 

Practicing self-compassion and self-love can reduce stress, anxiety, and depression.

And it is something that too many people struggle with nowadays.

Treating ourselves kindly allows our minds to relax, making it easier to manage stress and maintain emotional equilibrium. 

By giving ourselves permission to make mistakes, we enable personal growth and resilience.

My fellow Christians, let us strive to treat ourselves with love and kindness, just as our Heavenly Father treats us. 

As we do so, we will experience a deepening of our faith, as well as a profound improvement in our health and well-being.

Remember, you are just as worthy of love as anyone else.

Why Does God Allow Bad Things To Happen? (2024 Updated)

Posted on by thechristiantechnerd

One of the most pressing questions that we Christians must grapple with is the issue of pain and hardship.

If God is good, then why does He allow such things to happen? 

This is a question that has been asked by believers and non-believers alike for millennia.

And it is one that continues to trouble us.

First and foremost, it is important to acknowledge that pain and hardship are real and difficult experiences that many of us have to go through.

Whether it is physical pain, emotional pain, or the pain of loss, these experiences can be incredibly difficult to bear. 

It is natural to ask why we must endure such trials, especially when we believe in a loving and compassionate God.

What everyone must understand, however, is that God did not create a world full of pain and hardship. 

In the beginning, everything was good.

But sin entered the world through the disobedience of Adam and Eve. 

This disobedience caused a separation between humanity and God, which resulted in the pain, hardship, and brokenness that we see in the world.

However, just because sin is the cause of pain and hardship does not mean that God lacks the power to intervene.

God has done everything possible to restore our relationship with Him and to redeem the world from the effects of sin. 

This is why He sent His son, Jesus Christ, to undergo the crucifixion for our sins.

Through Jesus, we have the hope of living eternally and the assurance that one day pain and hardship will be eradicated.

In the meantime, we must remember that God is with us in our hardships and that He can use even our most difficult experiences for good.

As Isaiah 55:9 says, “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”

We must stay strong.

Are You Too Nice of a Christian?

As Christians, we are called to love and serve others.

As it is written in the Bible: “Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience.” (Colossians 3:12)

We are taught to be kind, compassionate, and understanding.

However, there is a fine line between being kind and being too nice.

Being too nice can actually be harmful to both ourselves and the people around us. 

When we are too nice, we often put the needs and wants of others before our own.

And this can lead to feelings of resentment and burnout…even if we don’t realize it right away.

Additionally, when we are too nice, we can often run away from difficult conversations and situations. 

We may not confront someone about their behavior or even stand up for ourselves.

This is how unresolved issues are made.

That’s why we should always be direct and honest.

It doesn’t mean that we should be rude or attacking.

We can still be kind and compassionate.

But if you are too nice, how can you even begin to do that?

Well, this is the reason I’m writing this Christian Blog article.

I’ve gathered several ideas you can follow to continue living according to God’s will without putting other people’s needs before your own:

  1. Set boundaries.

It’s important to understand that you have the right to say no and to have your own needs and wants.

  1. Communicate effectively. 

When someone is crossing your boundaries or you are feeling taken advantage of, it’s important to speak up and communicate your feelings.

  1. Take care of yourself.

Make sure you are taking care of your own physical, emotional, and spiritual needs.

We are responsible for our health. And we should take care of ourselves just like we take care of our loved ones.

  1. Stand up for yourself and others. 

Jesus stood up for the marginalized and oppressed, as it is written in Luke 4:18:

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed.” 

We can do the same by speaking up and stepping forward when we see injustice.

As Christians, we can sometimes forget about our own needs and wants.

But we should be compassionate towards ourselves, just as we do with others.

So don’t fall for the “nice trap”, and always remember these 4 tips.

How Many Calories Do You Need To Survive?

Did you know that the average person needs just about 1200-1500 calories to survive?

It’s true. Researchers have found that we don’t need as much food as most people think to keep ticking over.

But let’s not become too excited, folks.

That’s just for pure survival

For your basic physiological functions like breathing, heart beating, and maintaining temperature.

This is essentially what you need to stay alive.

If you are a prepper, then you know that surviving is not the same as thriving.

When you’re trying to make it through a tough situation.

Whether it’s a natural emergency or some other type of situation

You’re not just going to be lying around.

You’ll be active.

You’ll be under stress.

You’ll be using your body and mind in ways that demand much more than those 1200-1500 calories.

So how much do you actually need?

To give you a ballpark figure, an average moderately active man needs around 2,500 calories a day.

And an average moderately active woman needs around 2,000 calories a day to maintain their weight and health.

When you’re dealing with a survival situation, it’s essential to have high energy, nutrient dense foods to keep you fueled.

Things like nuts and seeds, dried fruits, canned goods, protein bars, and MREs (Meals Ready to Eat) can provide a substantial amount of calories in a small, portable package.

Remember, folks, planning is key.

Knowing how many calories you and your family will need in an emergency and preparing your food stores in advance can make a world of difference when the chips are down.

So the next time you’re out shopping, instead of grabbing that pack of ramen noodles, why not invest in some nutrient-rich, high-calorie foods that will really give you the energy you need when SHTF?

Survival is not a sprint, it’s a marathon. And for this long haul, you need to fuel yourself properly. 

So let’s keep our survival instincts sharp and our health well-nourished.