Sharing my faith is not a monologue, it is a dialogue. – Greg Laurie
As a popular Bible verse says, “Faith can move mountains.” True enough, we will never run out of amazing testimonies showcasing the power that having great faith can bring. You will also find many things to admire and emulate from people who profess and live their faith. Thus, the moment you experienced the moving power of faith, you would probably want to express it in every way you can. It is likewise understandable if you feel compelled to share it with everyone you come across to.
However, since our beliefs and principles are deeply influenced by the faith we embrace, sharing religious concepts can easily lead to clashes and conflicts. Does this mean that you have to avoid interaction with people who do not accept your faith? This can be difficult because they can be people who are dear to you such as family and friends. Nevertheless, hiding or keeping your beliefs to yourself is also a bad option because you do not want to live in denial. So how do you strike the balance to live your faith without offending people and damaging relationships? You cannot expect it to be easy but is surely doable if you keep the following in mind:
Do not claim superiority.
Faith is a wonderful gift that you would certainly feel lucky to receive. However, it pays to be careful so that your gratefulness does not lead to arrogance. Faith should not lead you to look down or feel sorry for others who do not share your beliefs. With this attitude, your faith will exhibit self-righteousness that will make others feel inferior. To avoid this, practice empathy as you share your faith so you can be more sensitive about others.
Listen to others too.
Some people expressing their faith can get annoying when they tend to focus on their side of the story alone. They only keep on talking about their experiences and fail to seek the opinions of people they are talking to. However, good communication is always a two-way thing so if you want others to listen, be ready to lend your ears to them as well. This includes entertaining any questions thrown at you and encouraging the exchange of ideas.
Be ready to apologize.
Even with the best intentions, there may come a time when you will utter a statement that will not sound pleasing to others. You do not want your faith to be a cause of conflict and contempt so be ready to say sorry if you need to. This way, people will realize that you do not mean to sound offensive. You can also maintain good relationships with everyone.
Do not force your beliefs on others.
Faith and religion are sensitive topics to discuss that may sometimes lead to disagreements. You can avoid unnecessary arguments by not seeing it as a debate you have to win over. A better approach is to treat it simply as an opportunity to share your thoughts and experiences. Remember that faith is something that you should willingly accept so do not force your beliefs on others
The world is filled with many different faiths and beliefs. Thus, do not forget to be respectful and cautious when expressing your faith. Showing that you can practice your beliefs with respect to others is a strong testimony in itself of how well faith is working in your life.
