Great concern about "Christian" Facebook Posts

Facebook is a wonderful tool for sharing family photos, events, reconnecting with old friends and so much more.  Unfortunately, as you all know, sometimes things show up on Facebook that we really don't want to see and can't un-see.

The apostle Paul said, “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable — if anything is excellent or praiseworthy — think about such things and the God of peace will be with you” (Philippians 4:8).

Unfortunately lots of posts on Facebook, Twitter, and other social media are just the opposite 
of what the Apostle Paul wanted us to think about.  This is a concern of mine but I have an 
even greater concern about Facebook posts. 

Sometimes I see posts that at first glance seem right, positive, even scriptural, but they are not.. 
There are many seemingly positive web pages and "positive" affirmations, but we have to be careful. God's way may be different and is often misunderstood.

I read one the other day that said "what you allow is what will continue".  On the surface this may seem true.  Why should we allow negative things in our lives to continue?  We need to get out, or stop it, or throw a fit... but what about from Christ's view?  What would Jesus say about this?

But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil.   Luke 6:35

When we are allowing someone to continue a behavior that is bad for us or makes our lives difficult, it is so hard to be like Christ.  I have an immediate tendency to become very angry and want to either do harm back or to get away as fast as possible to avoid conflict.  Even praying for that person feels impossible, but praying is exactly what I should do.  

I was told once that when someone is doing something that hurts you, you should pray that they are richly blessed and receive all that they need and want and that you should pray this for seven days.  I will tell you, this is the hardest thing to do but it truly frees you from those negative feelings and you can get on with your life in a much more positive way and become closer to God.
  

Allowing something to continue does not necessarily mean that it will continue.  People grow and change.  Life circumstances are always in flux.  From a Christian perspective, it depends a lot on how we react while we are allowing whatever it is to continue.  

Not talking about it or letting people walk all over you may not be the right course of action.  And yet, it might be just the right thing to show them what Christ is like and bring them to a knowledge of Him.  

We must pray for wisdom and knowledge.  Knowledge so that we understand the circumstances and why this might be happening, and wisdom to know how to handle it, whether to let it continue, talk, pray, or walk away (always in kindness). 

Solomon asked for wisdom and knowledge and God gave him so much more.  He will do this for us too if we pray for the correct way to handle each seemingly negative situation.

 ⁹ Now, Lord God, let your promise to my father David be confirmed, for you have made me king over a people who are as numerous as the dust of the earth. ¹⁰ Give me wisdom and knowledge, that I may lead this people, for who is able to govern this great people of yours?” 2 Chronicles 1: 9, 10

⁵ If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.  James 1:5

Sometimes people think praying  is a cop out or something people say they will do but don't, but prayer is our tool, our weapon, our means of dealing with life.  It is so important to talk to God constantly throughout your day.  Prayer will tell you how to respond and how to cope with what is happening in your life.

 28bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. Luke 6:28

So when you read posts that are seemingly affirmations, telling you how great you are or how to handle life's situations, please think twice and ask yourself, "Is this biblical?"  "Is this how Jesus would like me to act?"   You can even google what the bible  says about that topic.  And don't forget to pray, asking God for wisdom and knowledge.

 
Here is the entire section in Luke...

27“But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. 29If someone slaps you on one cheek, turn to them the other also. If someone takes your coat, do not withhold your shirt from them. 30Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. 31Do to others as you would have them do to you.

32“If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. 33And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do that. 34And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, expecting to be repaid in full. 35But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. 36Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. Luke 6:27 - 36