Do you have opinions?
Well, get rid of them.
Do you have preferences?
Chuck 'em.
Do you have a passion?
Not anymore.
This world is not black-and-white. You can't have anything, say anything, or do anything without offending someone. So, might as well lock yourself in your room and give up on friends.
I'm kidding. Don't do that.
But seriously, no matter what you do, someone will complain. It's ok. You aren't living to please other people. I am living (as best as I can, I'm not perfect.) to please God. And that's much easier than pleasing people.
That doesn't mean you can be a jerk, however. Love people, don't please them. Keep your values and standards, but also help those who need it. Be nice to people, but don't hesitate to do what you know is right. Don't make compromises to keep other people happy, because in the long run, you're helping them by living as an example. Don't worry if you mess up. Apologize and admit you were wrong, then move to be better than you were.
I may not have explained this the best. It's a hard thing to do, and I'm nowhere near being confident in it.
I shy from absolutes. I don't say "no, yes, never, always." I say "probably not, maybe, not really, and mostly." There's always that paranoid second-guessing that tells me I'm wrong. Also, I sit on the fence for basically every opinion ever. I usually see both sides of the argument, and I can't really make a decision either way.
Here's some scripture that may shed a little light on what I'm trying to say-
Galatians 1:10 ESV
For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.
Romans 14:1 ESV
As for the one who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not to quarrel over opinions.
And also, following what you know to be right doesn't mean judging those who you don't agree with. Take these verses-
Romans 14:10-13 ESV
Why do you pass judgment on your brother? Or you, why do you despise your brother? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God; for it is written, “As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.” So then each of us will give an account of himself to God. Therefore let us not pass judgment on one another any longer, but rather decide never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother.
Matthew 7:1-2 ESV
“Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you.
So basically, it all comes down to this statement- Do what is right, even if others disagree, but don't be a pretentious jerk about it. You aren't perfect, so don't expect others to be.
Well, get rid of them.
Do you have preferences?
Chuck 'em.
Do you have a passion?
Not anymore.
This world is not black-and-white. You can't have anything, say anything, or do anything without offending someone. So, might as well lock yourself in your room and give up on friends.
I'm kidding. Don't do that.
But seriously, no matter what you do, someone will complain. It's ok. You aren't living to please other people. I am living (as best as I can, I'm not perfect.) to please God. And that's much easier than pleasing people.
That doesn't mean you can be a jerk, however. Love people, don't please them. Keep your values and standards, but also help those who need it. Be nice to people, but don't hesitate to do what you know is right. Don't make compromises to keep other people happy, because in the long run, you're helping them by living as an example. Don't worry if you mess up. Apologize and admit you were wrong, then move to be better than you were.
I may not have explained this the best. It's a hard thing to do, and I'm nowhere near being confident in it.
I shy from absolutes. I don't say "no, yes, never, always." I say "probably not, maybe, not really, and mostly." There's always that paranoid second-guessing that tells me I'm wrong. Also, I sit on the fence for basically every opinion ever. I usually see both sides of the argument, and I can't really make a decision either way.
Here's some scripture that may shed a little light on what I'm trying to say-
Galatians 1:10 ESV
For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.
Romans 14:1 ESV
As for the one who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not to quarrel over opinions.
And also, following what you know to be right doesn't mean judging those who you don't agree with. Take these verses-
Romans 14:10-13 ESV
Why do you pass judgment on your brother? Or you, why do you despise your brother? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God; for it is written, “As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.” So then each of us will give an account of himself to God. Therefore let us not pass judgment on one another any longer, but rather decide never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother.
Matthew 7:1-2 ESV
“Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you.
So basically, it all comes down to this statement- Do what is right, even if others disagree, but don't be a pretentious jerk about it. You aren't perfect, so don't expect others to be.
