Daily Bread

Jesus said to his disciples, ‘Very truly, I tell you, servants are not greater than their master, nor are messengers greater than the one who sent them. If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them. I am not speaking of all of you; I know whom I have chosen. But it is to fulfil the scripture, “The one who ate my bread has lifted his heel against me.” I tell you this now, before it occurs, so that when it does occur, you may believe that I am he.Very truly, I tell you, whoever receives one whom I send receives me; and whoever receives me receives him who sent me.’

"I tell you, whoever receives one whom I send receives me; and whoever receives me receives him who sent me."

This week I was trolled on social media. Someone hiding behind a pseudonym bombarded me with a mixture of questions and observations about Christianity, and as time went on they gradually became more toxic. It was clear that they were not interested in genuine dialogue, even admitting that they had been, "doing this (to Christians) for years."

I don't know what drives someone to become so bitter and twisted — perhaps some kind of negative religious experience or trauma? Sadly, I know of many who have been physically, emotionally, mentally, or spiritually abused from the pulpit or by 'Christians'. Some are consciously aware of the impact this has had had on their lives, yet others lash out and barely know why.

Being a priest means I am a public figure, and to many I represent the God or the Church with whom they are so angry. And so, their anger finds its target or focus, they take aim, and they fire a barrage of abuse, rationalising it as fair and just.

I remember a pastor once telling me that 'this is nearly always about that', meaning the abuse in the present is nearly always about something else going on in a person's life. For example, the bully seeks to control through power and coercion because another area of their lives was or currently is out of control.

Another pastor friend of mine likes to use the phrase 'hurt people hurt people' but that's not always true. Perhaps a better way of putting it, but less catchy, would be 'the hurting of people is often caused by hurting people'.

The point is that we must try not to take abuse to heart. We are messengers of Christ. We are God's agents or ambassadors in the world. We are not God, therefore, when someone takes pot shots at us they are literally 'shooting the messenger'.

Predators isolate and pick off the weak and injured prey. When you are trolled, bullied, or abused, stand firm and be calm, loving, and generous, but above all, seek wisdom, support, encouragement, and advice from Christian friends who love you. Do not try and stand in your own strength. You are part of a team. It's called your church, and we are here for you. They will either help you stand or lead you out of danger.

Holy God
When I am bullied and I am on the receiving end
of physical, verbal, emotional, mental, or spiritual abuse,
help me to remember that 'this is probably about that'
and to not take it personally.
As I seek to respond in love,
remind me to reach out to my church family
for wisdom, support, encouragement, and advice.
Thank you for not leaving me alone.
Yours forever.