Christian Youth & Young Adults
"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go." (Joshua 1:9)
Though Christians make up a significant percentage of the population, the internet can be a surprisingly hostile place to anyone who lets their Christianity show. Make a reference to your belief in God in a comment on a popular site and you will likely find other commentators questioning your intelligence. Express that you are praying for the victims of a tragedy and you will be inundated with people asking what good your prayers are when the victims need food and medical aid.
As a young Christian it can be very disheartening to see this sort of thing happening or to have it happen to you. At times it may seem like the internet is a place where just about anything goes but your belief in God, but you should not let it get you down. There are three important keys to overcoming the struggles of being a Christian on the internet.
1) Stay strong in your faith
Remember that there is no reason a few random comments on the internet should have you doubting yourself or your faith. None of those people know you or anything about why you believe the way you do. If you ever do find yourself disheartened, just keep in mind these spiritually encouraging quotes from the bible about strength and faith:
"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go." (Joshua 1:9)
"So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." (Isaiah 41:10)
"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power." (Ephesians 6:10)
2) Always be respectful
When someone disparages your faith on the internet, you may be tempted to lash out at them and be mean and vindictive in return. It is always best, however, to remain calm and respectful. Simply defend your faith and your right to express it and move on. Keeping your cool will reflect better on you personally, and on Christians as a whole.
3) Find sites where you can openly express yourself
One of the best things about the internet is that there are sites for just about any interest under the sun, and so there are many places where you can go to chat and interact with other people of faith. Join Facebook groups that will allow you to share beliefs and follow like-minded Twitter users. These and other social media sites give you the power to create a Christian community for yourself.
Navigating the Internet with God
The internet has both its light and its dark side. As a Christian it is your task, as with all things in life, to orient yourself towards the light. If your beliefs are being attacked, then stay strong, stay respectful if you wish to defend yourself, and find a more accepting community.
Spiritual Prayer
For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all God’s people, I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.