Mall

[Dhitlor]

I just had a concerning experience at the mall with a minor in my family who I was accompanying to a birthday celebration there. While myself and the other chaperone were talking, an adult man tried to talk to this minor about how they liked her hair among other things. The minor and other children involved than came and told myself and the other chaperone who had been sitting right there. The other chaperone went to tell the security guard so that they could find the man. The security guard was familiar with this man because he is a regular there. My parents are also familiar with him as he has spoken to them at the mall before asking them if they know Jesus (the man later told me as I was arguing with him about what he had done in speaking to the child that he was a pastor - I'm very concerned about whether I handled the situation properly). The problem is that it is concerning for a grown man to be approaching a child by themselves. I also didn't like some other things that the man said about the situation which made it feel like he was trying to minimize the concern of the situation. While the security guard located the man, I was thinking how should I handle this as a Christian. By the time they brought the man, before I knew it, I had started walking up to him and I ended getting into a small verbal fight with him until it broke up because I had to calm my father down who was watching from afar and came and got involved. The man ended up getting removed from the mall. I am now concerned about whether I handled everything properly. I feel like since the year started, I've been having a lot of situations come into my life where I wasn't sure if I handled them right as a Christian even though I'm constantly trying to do so.

 

[The Encourager]

May God in Jesus' name answer your prayer request according to God's perfect love, wisdom, will, timing, grace, and mercy.

Psalm 37:4: Delight yourself in the Lord, And He shall give you the desires of your heart.
Matthew 6:33: But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.

Prayer Focus: God, Thank You for loving me. God, I ask You in Jesus’ name please bless me with everything that I stand in need of and everything You want me to have. God bless me to prosper, walk in excellent health, and never stop growing in the love, grace, and knowledge of Christ Jesus. God bless me to know You in truth, fall in love with You with all my heart, mind, soul, body, and strength and never fall out of love with You. Bless me to have an ever growing closer stronger, more intimate relationship with You. Bless me with the love, desire, strength, and the spirit of obedience to always delight myself in You, seek first Your kingdom, Your righteousness, and to always respect and obey You. Bless me to trust You with all my heart, acknowledge You in all my ways, and lean not to my own understanding.

God heal me in every area of my life. Deliver and cleanse me of everything in my life that doesn't honor You. Transform and renew my mind. Bless me with love, power, and a sound mind. Let the mind that is in Christ Jesus be in me. Bless me to have and operate with a God solution focused heart, mind, spirit, and attitude. Bless me to have a God Kingdom Culture Mentality. God be with me as a mighty warrior. Let no weapon formed against me prosper. Protect me from all the plans of my enemies and the plans of the enemy of my soul. God, all that I have asked of You, in this prayer, please do the same for the writer of the prayer, all those who love and care about me, and all those I love and care about. God, please forever honor this prayer over each of our lives. God Thank You. Amen, so be it by faith, and by faith, it is so. Prayer written by The Encourager-Prayer Warrior-Board Certified Professional Christian Life Coach. www.theencourager.net

Healed Spirit Soul And Body​

Healed Spirit Soul And Body

be-an-encourager.blogspot.com

 

[Articles]

We hear your deep concern and share in the weight of this unsettling experience. Protecting the innocence and safety of children is a sacred responsibility, and it is right to feel disturbed when that boundary is crossed. The actions of this man—regardless of his claim to be a pastor—were inappropriate and alarming. Scripture is clear that those who would harm or exploit the vulnerable will face severe judgment: *"But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to stumble, it would be better for him if a huge millstone were hung around his neck and that he were sunk in the depths of the sea"* (Matthew 18:6). His attempt to minimize the situation only compounds the concern, as wolves in sheep’s clothing often use spiritual language to deflect accountability (Matthew 7:15).

You acted swiftly to involve security, and that was the right course. However, the confrontation that followed raises questions about whether your response aligned with Christ’s call to *"be wise as serpents and harmless as doves"* (Matthew 10:16). While righteous anger is justified, Scripture also warns us: *"A man’s wisdom makes his face shine, and the hardness of his face is changed"* (Ecclesiastes 8:1). In the heat of the moment, did your words reflect the gentleness and self-control that the Holy Spirit produces in believers (Galatians 5:22-23)? Even in rebuke, our tone should aim to *"speak the truth in love"* (Ephesians 4:15), lest we become a stumbling block ourselves.

This situation also reveals a broader spiritual battle. The enemy seeks to sow confusion, doubt, and strife—even among God’s people. When you mentioned feeling uncertain about other recent situations, it may be that you are being tested in your faith walk. Remember, *"No temptation has taken you except what is common to man. God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted above what you are able, but will with the temptation also make the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it"* (1 Corinthians 10:13). The Lord is refining you, but He does not leave you to navigate these trials alone.

Let us pray together:

Heavenly Father, we come before You with heavy hearts, seeking Your wisdom and peace. Lord, we thank You for the courage to stand against what is wrong, but we ask for forgiveness where our responses may have fallen short of Your glory. Father, we lift up this situation to You—protect the children who were involved, and let no harm come to them. Expose any darkness in the heart of this man, and if he is truly Yours, bring him to repentance. If he is a deceiver, let Your justice prevail. Lord, we also ask for discernment and grace for our brother/sister here. Strengthen them in their faith, and help them to see each trial as an opportunity to grow closer to You. Guard their heart against doubt and frustration, and fill them with Your peace that surpasses all understanding. May they walk in wisdom, reflecting Your love even in moments of conflict. We ask all these things in the mighty name of Jesus Christ, the Good Shepherd who watches over His flock. Amen.

In times like these, it is also wise to seek counsel from trusted spiritual leaders in your church. Proverbs 11:14 reminds us, *"Where there is no counsel, the people fall; but in the multitude of counselors there is safety."* Share this burden with your pastor or elders, and allow them to guide you in how to proceed—whether that involves reporting the incident to authorities (as Romans 13:1-4 instructs) or simply finding closure in prayer.

Lastly, do not let this experience harden your heart. The world is full of brokenness, but Christ calls us to be light in the darkness. *"Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven"* (Matthew 5:16). Even in moments of uncertainty, your desire to honor God is evidence of His work in you. Keep pressing into Him, and He will direct your steps.

 

[hostadmin]

We're right there with you, feeling the weight of this unsettling experience. It's natural to feel concerned and upset when a child's safety is compromised. We're glad you acted swiftly to involve security, but let's take a moment to reflect on how we can respond in a way that aligns with Jesus' teachings.

In the heat of the moment, it's easy to let emotions take over. But remember, "A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger" (Proverbs 15:1). Even in confronting wrongdoing, our words should be seasoned with grace and kindness, reflecting the love of Christ.

Let's pray together:

"Dear Lord, we come before You with heavy hearts, seeking Your wisdom and guidance. Help us to respond with love and kindness, even in difficult situations. Give us the strength to stand against what is wrong, but also the humility to speak in a way that reflects Your glory. Lord, we lift up this situation to You. Protect the children involved and bring justice to light. Help us to grow in wisdom and discernment, and to trust in Your perfect will. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen."

Let's also remember that Jesus calls us to be wise as serpents and harmless as doves (Matthew 10:16). Let's strive to be people of wisdom, love, and kindness, even in challenging circumstances.