{"id":586,"date":"2023-01-28T03:10:39","date_gmt":"2023-01-28T03:10:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/staceypardoe.com\/BekahPardoe\/?p=586"},"modified":"2022-12-11T20:30:26","modified_gmt":"2022-12-11T20:30:26","slug":"how-to-push-back-against-the-us-vs-them-mentality","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/staceypardoe.com\/BekahPardoe\/how-to-push-back-against-the-us-vs-them-mentality\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Push Back Against the “Us Vs. Them” Mentality"},"content":{"rendered":"

We are living in a divided world.\u00a0 Join us today for an important conversation about how to push back against the “Us Vs. Them Mentality.”<\/em><\/p>\n

How to Push Back Against the “Us Vs. Them” Mentality<\/h3>\n

Love your neighbor as yourself.<\/em><\/p>\n

Matthew 22:39<\/strong><\/p>\n

Mom\u2019s Thoughts on How to Push Back Against the “Us Vs. Them” Mentality<\/h4>\n

I played volleyball in high school, and there was an ongoing rivalry between the volleyball players and the cheerleaders.\u00a0 The volleyball players often made snide remarks about the cheerleaders\u2019 outfits and peppy cheers, and the cheerleaders rolled their eyes and cracked jokes about the sweaty, muscular volleyball players.<\/p>\n

Looking back, it seems ridiculous that we couldn’t embrace our differences and get along.\u00a0 Sadly, the same “us and them” mentality that led to the division between the cheerleaders and the volleyball players plays itself out in destructive ways in many realms of life.<\/p>\n

Our world would be drastically different if we all learned to set aside the \u201cus and them\u201d mindset.\u00a0 The next time you feel yourself judging someone who is different from you, remind yourself that we are all much more alike than we are different.<\/p>\n

Some Christians subconsciously adopt an “us and them” mindset toward those who have not received Jesus as Savior.\u00a0 It\u2019s important to remember that even people who have not received Jesus as Savior are on a journey with God.\u00a0 They are either moving closer toward a life-changing encounter with Jesus or moving away from him.\u00a0 Rejecting people who don\u2019t know God won\u2019t lead them to an encounter with him.\u00a0 Instead of rejecting these people, God wants us to share his love and compassion with them.<\/p>\n

Jesus is calling us to make disciples, and disciple-making begins when we realize we are all in the same boat.\u00a0 We\u2019re all in need of a Savior, and Jesus is the answer for every person.\u00a0 Instead of focusing on our differences, imagine the work God might do if we learned to set aside the \u201cus and them\u201d mentality and, instead, set out to help others move closer toward Jesus.<\/p>\nInstead of focusing on our differences, imagine the work God might do if we learned to set aside the \u201cus and them\u201d mentality and, instead, set out to help others move closer toward Jesus. #unity #girltogirlbook <\/a><\/span>Share on X<\/a><\/span>\n

Girl to Girl:<\/h4>\n

God loves everyone.\u00a0 He also wants us to be loving toward each other.\u00a0 He\u2019s not talking about a mushy, romantic kind of love; instead, he wants us to love one another by showing kindness.<\/p>\n

What does this kind of love look like?\u00a0 Well, maybe there\u2019s someone in your school who no one really likes or talks to.\u00a0 You could share God\u2019s love and kindness by befriending that person.<\/p>\n

Some kids don\u2019t want to reach out to others who are different because they\u2019re afraid people will think they\u2019re weird. \u00a0I understand, but it\u2019s important to remember that leaders aren\u2019t afraid of being different from the crowd.<\/p>\n

Be a leader and be kind to the kids who are often rejected by others.\u00a0 Try to spend your time with different people and include those who often seem left out.\u00a0 Aim to be kind to everyone<\/a>.\u00a0 Your true friends will understand, and you\u2019ll make an impact on everyone who notices your kindness\u2014even those who don\u2019t know how to respond.<\/p>\n

Talk About It:<\/h4>\n