If there’s one thing I’m growing to despise more and more it’s “Christian Cliches”. You know, those quaint little sayings that most of the time AREN’T scripture but so overused you want to puke every time you hear them?
Let’s talk about a few of them shall we?
You ask someone “how are you?” and they reply, “Why sister I’m blessed and highly favored” Ok, well that’s nice but really, “HOW ARE YOU?” I mean come on, a simple “I’m doing good” or “honestly my life sucks right now” is more of what I’d really like to hear. Especially when I know your husband just left you, your son is in jail or you just lost your job. Please be real with me ok? If I didn’t care, I wouldn’t have asked.
“God doesn’t give you more than you can handle…” If there’s one saying that I’ve heard over and over again in the last two years while dealing with my husband’s leukemia and his passing away, it’s THAT one. I wanted to look at the people when they said that to me and say, “REALLY? well hmmm let’s see….” and then start naming off the challenges that I’ve faced and say, “Yep I’d say He DID give me too much this time.” and then watch their faces. I mean let’s think about that – sometimes God DOES give you too much handle BUT it’s because He’s teaching YOU to let HIM handle it and NOT you. I’ll stop my comments right there on that one.
The other day my daughter and I were at a holiday luncheon and the one woman at our table was the “O Praise God ” lady. EVERY OTHER PHRASE was “O Praise God.” I mean you could have said to her, “I just sliced my finger off with this butter knife” and she would have said it. Now don’t get me wrong, I believe in giving thanks to God in ALL circumstances but sometimes people just over use a phrase kind of like another non religious one I can’t stand which is “ANYWHO.”
Then there’s the one that irritates me, “Well I guess all you can do now is pray.” Um hello? Prayer should NEVER be a LAST resort it should be our first plan of action.
Oh and this one is used a ton down South, “Bless your heart.” Honestly it’s a polite way of someone saying , “You poor dumb dumb” or “What on earth were you thinking?” without directly coming out and saying it.
And then there’s “I have to pray about it….” Nope what you’re REALLY saying is, “I’m stalling for time because I need to find a good excuse to not do something.” Just say, “Yes I can” or “No I can’t” and that’s it.
OH and how many times have we seen a need on facebook or twitter and responded “Praying” and then after we typed the word we scrolled on down to the next post and never stopped to actually PRAY for the need? Come on fess up – we’ve all done it. Now what I do is the minute I read the request I stop and say, “God help so and so” or “God heal so and so” or “God provide what they need.” this way I KNOW that I REALLY DID pray for that person.
So the next time you’re tempted to use one of these phrases, stop and think about it before you do. Will it make you sound fake? Is it inappropriate timing to say it? Am I really going to do it?
Remember that the most effective form of evangelism is BEING REAL. People don’t want your plastic smiles or clichés. They want something REAL so give it to them instead.
Oh and by the way, “have a blessed day….” 🙂 🙂 🙂
From the Inside of Church 