What God Had in Mind
When your friend, who is a hardened criminal, hears the statement, "you are today exactly what God had in mind when God made you," they might have a wide range of thought processes and reactions.
People's responses can vary greatly based on their beliefs, experiences, and emotions.
Here are fifty plausible thought processes that could go through their mind:
Confusion: They might be perplexed by the statement, especially if they don't believe in God.
Skepticism: They might doubt the sincerity or meaning behind the statement.
Anger: They could become angry if they perceive the statement as judgmental or condescending.
Rejection: They might outright reject the idea of God or that they were created with a purpose.
Defensiveness: They could become defensive about their criminal past.
Irony: They might find it ironic that someone is invoking God's plan in the context of their criminal activities.
Cynicism: They might view the statement as naive or overly optimistic.
Apathy: They might not care about the statement or its implications.
Disbelief: They could simply not believe in God and dismiss the statement.
Reflection: They might take a moment to think about their life choices and whether they align with any concept of divine purpose.
Regret: They might feel regretful about their criminal actions.
Curiosity: They might wonder why you said this and what you believe about them.
Questioning: They might ask you to explain what you mean by the statement.
Comparing Beliefs: They might compare their atheistic or agnostic beliefs with your religious beliefs.
Self-Examination: They might engage in self-reflection, considering their actions and how they got to where they are.
Emotional Response: They might experience a mix of emotions, such as guilt, anger, sadness, or frustration.
Reevaluation: They might reevaluate their beliefs about God and spirituality.
Resentment: They might resent the implication that God is responsible for their criminal behavior.
Philosophical Inquiry: They might contemplate broader philosophical questions about free will and determinism.
Discussion: They might want to engage in a discussion about religion, morality, and the nature of human beings.
Exploring Morality: They might think about their personal moral code and how it relates to religious or ethical frameworks.
Seeking Validation: They might seek validation for their actions or beliefs.
Seeking Forgiveness: They might contemplate the idea of seeking forgiveness or redemption.
Seeking Understanding: They might want to understand your perspective and why you said what you did.
Acceptance: They might accept that this is your perspective and choose not to engage further.
Sarcasm: They could respond with sarcasm or humor to deflect from the seriousness of the statement.
Pity: They might feel pity for you if they think your belief in God is misguided.
Agreement: Surprisingly, they might agree with the idea that everyone has a purpose, even if they don't believe in God.
Evading the Topic: They might change the subject to avoid discussing religion or their criminal history.
Respectful Disagreement: They might express their disagreement with your belief but do so respectfully.
Seeking Connection: They might see this as an opportunity to connect with you on a deeper level.
Wondering About Their Destiny: They might ponder whether their destiny or purpose is related to their past actions.
Rebellion: They could interpret the statement as an attempt to control or change them and rebel against it.
Reinforcement of Their Identity: They might see this statement as reinforcing their identity as a hardened criminal.
Fear: They might fear judgment or proselytization based on your beliefs.
Judgment of Your Beliefs: They might judge your religious beliefs as naive or unrealistic.
Seeking Empathy: They might hope for empathy and understanding from you, regardless of their past.
Psychological Impact: They might consider the psychological impact of their past actions on their sense of self.
Life Choices: They might reflect on the choices they've made in life and their consequences.
Practicality: They might dismiss the statement as impractical or irrelevant to their current circumstances.
Personal Growth: They could contemplate whether personal growth or change is possible.
Relevance: They might question the relevance of discussing religion in the context of their criminal history.
Deeper Conversation: They might see this as an opportunity to have a deeper conversation about life's meaning.
Desire for Redemption: They might wonder if redemption or rehabilitation is possible for them.
Nihilism: They might lean into nihilistic beliefs, asserting that life has no inherent purpose.
Gratitude: They might express gratitude for surviving their criminal activities.
Resilience: They might reflect on their resilience and ability to adapt to life's challenges.
Hopelessness: They could feel a sense of hopelessness about their future.
Seeking Guidance: They might seek guidance or advice on how to change their life for the better.
Dismissal: Ultimately, they might dismiss the statement as irrelevant to their current mindset and circumstances.
Inspiration:
Greg Boyle, Homeboy Industries
Transcript - Audio