9.20.23 - Romans 12:17-18
What is different about your actions today if you choose to “live peaceably” instead of “non-confrontationally?”
Do not repay anyone evil for evil, but take thought for what is noble in the sight of all. If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.
I am a pacifist-leaning person. I am not good at absolutes in any part of life, but by and large, I choose peace over violence.
I notice that I choose emotional and verbal pacifism, as well as, de-escalation over confrontation. I don’t know if this is true pacifism; it is really a lot of fear and insecurity coming out. However, I have been thinking about this of late because so frequently, we ignore the violence and oppression in the words of others or in the processes of our systems.
Sometimes, I misinterpret this idea and think that “living peaceably” means “living non-confrontationally.” I allow moments of harm to go for too long before interrupting.
I had a friend call me out recently when I used the term “microaggression” for what was happening in their life. That term was misleading because there was nothing “micro” about it. Their experience of the situation was emotional violence. I needed to respond to the situation as I would to violence, and stop placating and de-escalating the person who was responsible.
I also experience these moments as a trans person in the world. The way that trans identities have been politicized means that people don’t stand up for us; it’s become “too political” to do so. The language that many Christian churches use to talk about trans people fuels violence against us. I can think of similar situations around the topics of race, immigration, our unhoused neighbors, and more.
Where can you recognize moments of emotional or verbal violence around you and how might you interrupt to stop the violence for your siblings?
--Theo Isoz