Hi all!
I hope everyone is doing well! I am in college, and I've actually moved to another state permanently. First off, I'd love to give context of I do have friends that are not Christian and don't follow Jesus. It's just that this situation is a bit sticky to me and I'm not sure how to approach it.
First things first: I was friends with this person all through grade school and high school. I wasn't a believer at the time (grew up going to church but wasn't convinced of a God/struggling with it). We've hit a couple of rough patches but this one is particularly hard. She stayed in our home state for college and I moved across the country for college. I ended up moving to this state permanently and changed my license in the process and address (you know the entire deal). After choosing to follow Jesus my freshman year of college, we talked like every 6 months or so and haven't really said anything unless on social media. The thing is when we talked during the six months, I felt the strain spiritually. At least, on my part. I mean, it's expected to feel the strain but like compared to my unbeliever friends that I do talk to now, it is not like the strain I felt with her. For one, she is EXTREMELY sexually explicit, something that the people I am friends with now are not. Second, I've noticed how she acts towards people who are of a different political party (she is super liberal and can't stand the other party).
Now, here is the thing: I am friends with people of both political parties. I don't see what the problem is, especially if you're rooted in Christ it doesn't matter who you vote for because at the end of the day, it's your relationship with Christ. But she doesn't see that. Third thing, she seems super intolerant. Like, more so than in the past. She has literally said she is not friends with white people because of their republican beliefs (straight up racism right there) and I felt like the Lord was telling me not to really be associated with her anymore. Plus, some of my closest friends are conservative and white (made some in college). Doesn't mean they are racist. Going back to the social media posts, I also felt the Lord tell me to not look at her stories anymore. So I have not. Also in general, I've been cutting back my time on social media.
I mean, distance helps for sure, but I don't know how to go about this. I don't want to cut her off like that because the Lord shows love to everyone, but I don't think that having a relationship with her is beneficial anymore. I wanted to text her and call to see how she was doing because I really want to show her I care for her, but I think something needs to give. There was another friend that I had to let go in high school - but it was kinda easy because we weren't as close. The second I went over their house, their family looked at my shirt because it was against legalizing weed. That was back in 2016. Also, she was also intolerant and a lot like the girl I described above. Again, we weren't as close and we are just Facebook friends and never talk.
My other friends that aren't Christian don't give me the same vibe. Honestly even with some "Christians" you have to watch them. However, has anyone had an experience similar to this? What have you done in the past? Should I let distance do its job and not contact her as much? Don't know how to handle the current situation. Definitely want to go about this in love.
Anything helps!
I hope everyone is doing well! I am in college, and I've actually moved to another state permanently. First off, I'd love to give context of I do have friends that are not Christian and don't follow Jesus. It's just that this situation is a bit sticky to me and I'm not sure how to approach it.
First things first: I was friends with this person all through grade school and high school. I wasn't a believer at the time (grew up going to church but wasn't convinced of a God/struggling with it). We've hit a couple of rough patches but this one is particularly hard. She stayed in our home state for college and I moved across the country for college. I ended up moving to this state permanently and changed my license in the process and address (you know the entire deal). After choosing to follow Jesus my freshman year of college, we talked like every 6 months or so and haven't really said anything unless on social media. The thing is when we talked during the six months, I felt the strain spiritually. At least, on my part. I mean, it's expected to feel the strain but like compared to my unbeliever friends that I do talk to now, it is not like the strain I felt with her. For one, she is EXTREMELY sexually explicit, something that the people I am friends with now are not. Second, I've noticed how she acts towards people who are of a different political party (she is super liberal and can't stand the other party).
Now, here is the thing: I am friends with people of both political parties. I don't see what the problem is, especially if you're rooted in Christ it doesn't matter who you vote for because at the end of the day, it's your relationship with Christ. But she doesn't see that. Third thing, she seems super intolerant. Like, more so than in the past. She has literally said she is not friends with white people because of their republican beliefs (straight up racism right there) and I felt like the Lord was telling me not to really be associated with her anymore. Plus, some of my closest friends are conservative and white (made some in college). Doesn't mean they are racist. Going back to the social media posts, I also felt the Lord tell me to not look at her stories anymore. So I have not. Also in general, I've been cutting back my time on social media.
I mean, distance helps for sure, but I don't know how to go about this. I don't want to cut her off like that because the Lord shows love to everyone, but I don't think that having a relationship with her is beneficial anymore. I wanted to text her and call to see how she was doing because I really want to show her I care for her, but I think something needs to give. There was another friend that I had to let go in high school - but it was kinda easy because we weren't as close. The second I went over their house, their family looked at my shirt because it was against legalizing weed. That was back in 2016. Also, she was also intolerant and a lot like the girl I described above. Again, we weren't as close and we are just Facebook friends and never talk.
My other friends that aren't Christian don't give me the same vibe. Honestly even with some "Christians" you have to watch them. However, has anyone had an experience similar to this? What have you done in the past? Should I let distance do its job and not contact her as much? Don't know how to handle the current situation. Definitely want to go about this in love.
Anything helps!