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Anyone have any tips for how to handle this situation? Thanks.

Can you be more specific? It might be helpful to know exactly what they are persecuting you for. What do they believe, how does that differ from your beliefs?

You'll have to learn to treat your family as you would your friends.

Or vice versa, you'll have to learn to treat your friends, as you would your family.

That is, if you're walking with Jesus Christ.

Tibby, I'm concerend about a family member who has been working overtime to destroy the work God has called me to do. I trust God entirely, and I know He will be faithful to accomplish His plans, but this individual has done me a great deal of harm and tries to destroy any spiritual seed that I'm planting.  I'm concerned about the souls this person is harming, and the soul of the person who is doing the damage. I know God isn't going to tolerate it much longer, and He's been with me. But It's difficult to see the person behind the facade in ways I never did before God blessed this labor He created. It's sad.

Man, sounds rough. Sounds interesting as well, I’d be interested in knowing more, if you are willing to speak.

I’d advise prayer. Lots of prayer. We will all pray for you as well. And show him the love of God though you. Don’t lose your temper, control your anger. A gentle answer turns away wrath. Kindly ask him to stop once, but not argue with him or debate or beg. Stand tall, with your arms across your chest when you ask. Your voice and word should say “Please, I good friend” but your body should say “STOP NOW!” You want to look loving, but you need to speak with authority at the same time.

I have observed in the past that a persons faith can be unsettling to others, they tend to get defensive about it, lash out ect. Perhaps this person is actually a test of your faith Strength untested is only theory.
 I have a young nephew who has no father figure in his life. I, and others in the family try to help fill in that role and help guide this young man. However, his grandfather drives him to and from school every day. He is an exceedingly ignorant man, none too bright. Virtually every day this kid hears his grandfather go on about how he hates niggers, fags, degos, the whole disgusting bit. It is SO difficult to see someone work to unravel what others have tried to acomplish with this young man. You must be not only strong and steadfast, but resilient as well. Do not sink to their level, great as the temptation may me. You are in my prayers, and, hopefully, I in yours.

Thanks, guys. I'm praying for you, too. You know, it's just so surreal. I think that's exacly what's been happening, about the faith being unsettling. So this individual uses very subtle deceit to dismantle the work. When I first received the position, this person belittled it to a bunch of friends, mocked it, called the work "little," laughed at it, but God blessed it (of course, because it's His) and now the person is trying to take control of the project, even though she isn't even involved in it. She's even taken ownership of my box in the office, (by this I mean she's professed it to be hers) even though she has absolutely nothing to do with the ministry!! Wierd. Her claim is that she's been trying to solicit help from congregation members for me. Actually, she's trying to take it from me, or get people to turn against me if that doesn't work. When it didn't work, the person went into some group meetings and made some false, accusatory statements about me, because I wasn't there to give the truth. People in leadership know it isn't true, but they don't deal with her either because they're afraid of her. So they give the truth but allow her to remain and she continues with her evil work.  :'(

No problem. I'm just sorry we can't be for more help.
It sounds bad. All you can do is stand up to her, and pray. NOTHING will be solved without prayer. Not just a little but, but NOTHING will be answered. Pray for Gods will, pray for her, pray for yourself. I think I speak for everyone here when I say we will all do the same for you.

Thank you. God's blessings to you, and you're in my prayers, too.

Oklahoma Howdy to Whitehorse,

I agree 100% that prayer is needed on this matter.

I sometimes tend to be a bull in the china closet, so you might take some of what I say with a grain of salt. I might think there would come a time for a NICE confrontation with her. Tell her you have been praying about the matter and want to know why she is doing destructive things to your work. When I say "NICE", I'm talking about calm, quiet, and prayer for guidance to say the right things and do the right things. There may also come a time for a meeting with those in leadership with the same NICE and calm manner.

Alot depends on how destructive she is being to God's work. If she is being openly disruptive to services, that would be quite another matter. This would be covered by law here, and many other matters related to church services are also covered by law. I'm not saying to rush out and have her arrested, but you might want to check the law in your area. There would be circumstances where it would be Biblical to openly admonish her.

I'll put the bull back in the pen and say one more thing. Do all in prayer and kindness if that's possible.

In Christ.

Tibby, you've actually been a lot of help, just knowing someone is praying for me and giving very good advice. Thank you.

Blackeyedpeas, thank you for your help, too. it's getting to that point. I already called the pastor but he's on vacation this week.  >:(

Glad to know I have helped you.

Blakceyepeas and I concur, you should to confront her. Have the pastor and/or the elders mediate. Be strong, you can do all things through Christ who gives you strength.  I normally try not to directly quote verse, but take notes of this:

Ephesians 6:10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. ‘

2 Timothy 2:1 You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.

Paul is saying, be strong, God will give you when you need to be strong, just use it. Also, see 1 Corinthians Chapter 6. I don’t have time to look this up, but I think this passage talks about the Church judging dispute between believers. If someone protests you trying to confront her before the Leaders of the Church, tell them about what Paul says who the Church should settle these kinds of disputes.

And wait till the pastor comes back, you don’t want her to hear about this to soon, and give her a chance to regroup and plot against you more. Your going to have the think strategically, don’t do anything that could be misconstrued as an attack till you have a chance to work everything out with just you and the pastor.

Good luck and God bless.

Agreed; I just hope everyone else does things according to scripture, too. We'll know soon enough what God has decreed to happen in this situation. It seems there's some spiritual warfare involved. Not liking this.

Yes, I don't blame you.  I've been in some of those situations; remember not liking it at all.  But prayer is the mainstay.  "Let not your heart be troubled.  Ye believe in God; believe also in me." John...

In fact, if we aren't in some kind of warfare, um....

Symphony, thank you for your encouragement. It means a lot. Very true; if we're in a war, we'll be fighting. By showing me Jesus's words, you remind me of the precious One I'm fighting for. Thank you.

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(your welcome)

Now *that* is a picture of me!  :D I love it!

"For as we share abundantly in Christ's sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too."    II Corinth. 1:5

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How's it goin here, WH?  (http://www.beautifulclipart.com/clipart/smiley/smile5.gif)

Dear Whitehorse,

You may want to read the book of 2 Timothy when you get a chance. Persecution for a Christian is a Bible promise. If you do not receive persecution, something may be lacking.

Also,sometimes the Lord will allow persecution to come, just to test us to see what's in our heart. And sometimes it's not real pretty what comes out.

Love those who persecute you, and stay close to Jesus!

Love,
Psalm 119

Thanks to you both.
The situation has only grown worse, but I've turned the individual over to God for divine intervention. I keep doing the work, and know in my heart that God isn't going to put up with this forever. When He decides to take action, He'll set it straight once and for all. The thing that troubles me the most isn't the damage done to me, but that she's accountable to God for what she's done to a ministry God Himself established, for His glory. Very scary thought.

Symphony, thank you for your concern and for asking.
Psalm 119, that's good advice. I'll do as you suggest.

Oklahoma Howdy to Whitehorse,

Brother, I'm sorry to hear that things are getting worse in this situation. The real shame is harm coming to the ministry. I know that I may be too direct at times, but I think it may be time to be more direct.

Example: Make an announcement that you are going to publish a newsletter in an effort to deal with rumors and false statements that are confusing some and causing conflicts in the congregation. Tell them to come directly to you if there is a question not covered in the newsletter. Pray about the matter directly in front of the group without mentioning names and ask God to establish peace and harmony for the entire congregation. Just an idea.

In Christ.

Hmm, hi, bep.  Thank you.  That's an interesting idea.

One thing I've been trying to remind myself of--esp. in difficult circumstances--is to remember Paul's reminders to us of the authority we have in Jesus Christ(from Eph. and Coloss), above all heavenly places.  Then, I try to think of ways to express that positively--or, rather, not spitefully, or critically.  

I like the way Julie Andrews handles it in "The Sound of Music", when she finds the frog in her pocket that Frederick put there, and when she sits down to dinner in front of everyone but there's this big pine cone on the seat.  How she handles it there at the dinner table is always interesting to me.  Of course, that's all "theatre".

And, of course, in the thick of battle, the opposition can be forbidding, even overwhelming.  Try to look for the positive ways.  Sometimes they've been there all along.  (I've always imagined that that ram over in the thicket when Abraham raises the knife over Isaac, was there all along...).

Then too, sometimes you can't address things head on, but merely by gradually rearranging circumstances, sometimes others might "see" their possible trespass.

And then, much prayer--specifically, 'bout those specific individuals..

We really do have the authority of a heavenly magistrate, working for us--and for positive outcomes!

Lord help us, in Jesus' Name...

Thank you both for your ideas and concern. The situation has definitely made me more tactical in my thinking, which before I had the luxury of not worrying about. I know Jesus said in the last days this would happen, but it's just not supposed to happen to me.   :)

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Let's make it a dynamic duo and resolve the problem, once and for all!

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There we go, bep.  Nothing like good ole manly brute strength to the rescue!

Oklahoma Howdy to Symphony,

I forgot to mention, look behind you. You've got helicopters closing in on you. You may need to be rescued.  ;D

Ooooh-scary! Interesting change of events this week, tho'-looks like I finally get a rest. For now. You know I'll always have one eye open because this is, how shall we say, "unforgettable."

*singing* unforgettable, that how it is, unforgettable, that's how it'll stay...la la la la la...

bep, wouldn't that be fun, swatting all those choppers outta the air?   Grrrrr.

Oh no.  She sings too.

WH, I remember that song.  What musical is it from?  Can't remember.

I don't even know the history of the song-I didn't realize it was from a musical. I just remember Nat King Cole singing it.

Just curious-does anyone know what these smilies are for?:  :o and  :-*

Maybe it's just me, but they seem partially broken by the background.

A heartfelt thank you for those who have prayed for this issue. It would seem God is indeed working, in a strong way. It seems the party in question may actually be coming to the Lord. Waiting to see if it stands the test of time...

You're welcome, Wh.  Glad to hear of fruit...

IN Jesus' Name...

(I think you can put your pointer on those two smilies, and it'll tell you what they're for-- "Shocked" and "kiss"...)

I always though  :o meant holy. lol. Sometimes, they Admin of these fourm will edit thesmiles to mean different things. In a lifting fourm I'm as, you put a kiss smile in ,and it becomes a smilely flexing his guns  ;D

Oklahoma Howdy to Whitehorse,

I give thanks. Wouldn't it be a blessing if her energy is now turned to helping you in the ministry. I see that my "bull in a china closet" attitude was again wrong. Maybe I just need to lock up that bull forever.

I will pray that she does give her heart to Jesus and become a strong and positive influence in your ministry.

In Christ.

bep: Wouldn't it be a blessing if her energy is now turned to helping you in the ministry.

That's the wonderful kind of stuff God is always in the business of doing.  But frequently I lose faith.

Maybe that's the "magic", huh, Whitehorse.  "Impossibilities" into "possiblities"...

Not my will, but Thy Will be done, on earth, as it is in Heaven...

In Jesus' Name....

Oklahoma Howdy to Symphony,

I'm positive that we all lack patience, need encouragement, and need to trust  in God more, and less in ourselves. There is one of the values of a forum like this, a place we can come and have fellowship with our brothers and sisters in Christ. This is also one of the values we have in the Holy Spirit who will give us comfort and guidance. It appears that the best things always happen when we wait upon the Lord, seek HIS will, and be patient.

My bull in the china closet JUST CAN'T WAIT to learn patience.  ;D ;D

In Christ.

ROM 5:3 And not only [so], but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;

Thanks Brother Forrest,

I need to read that verse about 5 times per day, at least. I got the tribulation, but I'm still working on patience.

In Christ.

Did someone say patience?

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Oklahoma Howdy to Symphony,

Yeah Me!, I had the patience to look at the picture long enough to find Scooby.   ;D

In Christ.

Actually, they're both good-patience, *and* the bull in the china shop in this instance. I did take your advice and decided that the ministry I've been given I also should protect. Soooooo....I did.  ;)

  ;)

   Any time, and I know what you mean by still working on patience.