It seems as though we’re all hunkered down in our political and ideological trenches these days. We hurl arguments like grenades, watching them explode from a “Twitter” distance away, high-fiving those on “our” side. Division is competing with COVID for pandemic status in our country. How do we, as believers, make our way through this division? We connect.
Josh and Kit invite Ana Samuel, PhD to share practical ways for you to be loving and kind in a world that is anything but.
You don’t have to slink away from the heated debates. As hard as it is, you can engage people of different world views. This is delicate business but it is necessary and do-able. Samuel is an expert in the art of human relationships and she brings the foundations of a personal approach to being a person.
When it comes to the hot button issues, you don’t have to stick your head in the sand. Rather, come out of the trench and open your eyes to see others as good people, no matter their view. We hope you walk away from this episode with practical ways to love others well, especially those you don’t agree with.
Guest Bio:
Ana Samuel, PhD, is a Research Scholar at the Witherspoon Institute and the Academic Director of CanaVox, a movement that hosts reading groups around the world on marriage and sexuality from a natural law perspective. She completed her studies in political theory at Princeton University and focused on the political thought and sexual ethics of Montesquieu while at the University of Notre Dame. She is the grateful daughter of Mexican immigrants, the wife of an Argentine immigrant, and the mother of six children.
Highlights:
Learning to walk with people with tremendous finesse and patience and not coming into the relationship with an agenda but really wanting what is good for that person
Having your heart full of willingness to seek their good at their pace one on one
The principals still apply that there is a very important foundation that I am for you even if I disagree with you.
Homework:
Deposits of Good Will - symbols, signs and actions that affirm you really care about the person as a whole
Build your Base - Find like minded people you can trust. Base friendships offer trust, confidence and nourishment moving out in the world. “The more you work on you, the more you deepen in love and knowledge and understanding of these issues, and the more you talk about it with like minded people who agree, and the more you learn together - what naturally happens is that you don’t fear talking about these issues as much with others.”
Am I looking out for the welfare of others? Do I want what is good for them?
Situational Awareness: Samuel says this is foundational for good decision making. When we forget our place, we can find ourselves in hot water.
Resources/Extras:
Dr. Meg Meeker - Her definition of intimacy is - Into Me See
Sean Covey; “The 7 Habits of
Free Resources to help you on your journey to Becoming Whole:
👉Men's Overcoming Lust & Temptation Devotional
👉Women 21-Day Prayer Journal & Devotional - (Women overcoming unwanted sexual Behavior)
👉Compass 21-Day Prayer Journal & Devotional - (Wives who are or have been impacted by partner betrayal)
