Standing Up for Christ

There have been many times in my life, just as in the lives of many others, that I was challenged to live up to my religious beliefs. People have asked me questions, often difficult to answer, and watched me to see whether or not I "mess up" in my daily actions. Each day is a test, a new chance to impact those around me (hopefully in a positive way).

All of this puts a great deal of pressure on the people trying to live a good life, especially when placed in an environment "hostile" to their cause. For example, I worked at a tire store for over a year when I was around 18 years old, and it was there that my resolve to stand firm in my faith was tested, along with my patience. At this store I was ridiculed for praying and standing by my values even in the face of severe temptation. My fellow workers would do things like call me names and try to cause me to fall into sin by losing my temper. However, knowing this, I was able to implore help from the Lord and keep calm in most situations.

An example of one occurrence where I had to stand against evil happened on the eve of my co-worker Gus's birthday. All of the other employees were planning on taking Gus to a strip club for his 18th birthday to "bring him into manhood." They invited me, saying, "Come on, if you're his friend, you should be there." My response was twofold; One, "If you were my friend, you wouldn't ask me to do that" and two, "If you have the party somewhere else, I will attend." They decided to go without me, and I was happy to stay at home that night, considering the alternative.

I have encountered many people who ask questions which are not only about difficult subject matter, but also phrased in an unsavory way. Additionally, the people asking the questions usually do not want to hear the answer; what I mean by this is that the people are not open-minded in approaching the conversation. These things have tended to test my patience because I enjoy having intellectual conversations and, when others approach me feigning interest in an answer, it irks me. Really, just as the Pharisees did in the Gospels, these people are setting traps and trying to make me fall into them (as discussed above).

It is only by praying and clinging to Christ that I was able to overcome these situations, along with the unpleasant thoughts and feelings caused by these encounters. Although persecuted, as was Daniel, and even thrown into a symbolic "lion's den," I have been able to stand firm in my faith and even convince my peers to act more nicely.