Twitter Trolls

A friend who is new to Twitter came to me with a problem. I wanted to share my response, in case my readers face similar.

Twitter trolls will happen, no matter what you do. It's sad, but some insist on trolling as a way to get their kicks. Don't let them irk you.

I usually investigate to discover why the person attacks a tweet that is not addressed ("@") them.

For this particular troll, he is a frustrated Atheist / former-Christian, who is mad at God because God didn't turn out to be the way he wanted. He also suffers from poor health, which only adds to his frustrations and beliefs that if God really was there and really CARED for him, none of this would happen.

Because he now believes that God doesn't exist, he can no longer take his anger/frustrations out on God - so he targets others (particularly Christians) to troll instead.

So you have a choice:

(1) You can try to get into a theological debate, which will only increase his animosity and attacks. He will continue to "dis" you (is that still a term?) and bring in reinforcements by including other Atheists. They will join in trolling you until they drive you in tears from Twitter. You will not get them to listen that way as the ego can only listen to another ego. And egos love fighting with one another.

(2) You can block him, so you don't see any of his tweets, which helps buffer you from his attacks. This, however, gives his ego a boost. Trolls count "blocks" as "points" in their game. It depends on how much your ego wants to let them "win" that stupid game.

(3) You can ignore him; pretend that his tweets do not exist. Shunning does work. Eventually he gives up and goes away.

(4) You can continue to treat him with kindness, love and respect. He will continue to belittle what you say, but at the same time you are teaching through example, rather than through words alone.

On social media sites, you show others - even those you don't realize - what it is to walk in Christ's steps. What it means to forgive and turn the other cheek.

The lyrical Blessing that came to mind: "May good health return; may you wear a gentle smile. May laughter and Love fill your heart all the while." Feel free to use it. I can't claim full credit anyway, as the Spirit helps me.

May your days of trolls be few

May the Spirit guide what to do

~ ESA

Feeding Seagulls

I heard this story on the radio and want to share it.

On vacation, this person fed crackers to the seagulls. While doing so he was able to identify three different types of bird personalities.

First, there were those that would hover and watch but never got too near to get any of the food that was being offered.

Second, there were those that got just close enough to catch a few crumbs, but not close enough to obtain the full amount.

Then there was the bold and brave ones. These would come right up and take the cracker directly from his hand.

He tried to coax the others to do the same, for he meant them no harm.

In this moment he had a revelation: how like these seagulls humanity can be when we approach God.

God is there with many Blessings, much like the man holding out the crackers for the gulls. He doesn't want to hurt us, but to share Blessings with us.

Some will watch but never reach out to receive these Blessings, afraid to even draw near to God.

Some are like the skittish gulls, coming only just close enough to receive a few crumbs when God has so much more to offer.

And some are like the brave gulls, with complete trust and confidence that God does not intend harm. They are the ones that receive all that God wants to give - right from His hand.

I strive to be more like the brave gulls. From this point forward, I intend to do so.

What type of seagull are you?

~ESA