day 4 - intimidation - part 1

As this observation continues to rear it’s ugly head, it’s interesting to note the various camps that people are falling into:

First, there is the “Everyone else is wrong – you are perfectly wonderful” camp – this is woefully small.

Then there is the “The Lord is trying to show you something” camp.
This can be subdivided into 2 smaller camps:
The “I love you and am supporting you no matter what” camp
The “I am backing off and letting you figure this out on your own” camp

There is also the “You scare the hell out of me” camp – this one is bigger than I realized.

Then there is the ever-popular “Ann is strong enough to figure this out on her own, and she’s a little prickly right now, so I’m leaving her alone to figure this one out” camp – this is my favorite, and apparently where most people are camping out these days.

All of this is perfectly ridiculous. Or so I’ve been telling myself for years… apparently there’s more to it than I thought, so let’s dive into it to see what He wants to show me.

in·tim·i·dat·ed, in·tim·i·dat·ing, in·tim·i·dates

1. To make timid; fill with fear.


2. To coerce or inhibit by or as if by threats.

And if that’s not good enough, here’s more: Synonyms: intimidate, browbeat, bulldoze, cow, 2bully, 1bludgeon
These verbs all mean to frighten into submission, compliance, or acquiescence. Intimidate implies the presence or operation of a fear-inspiring force: “It [atomic energy] may intimidate the human race into bringing order into its international affairs” (Albert Einstein). Browbeat suggests the persistent application of highhanded, disdainful, or imperious tactics: browbeating a witness. Bulldoze connotes the leveling of all spirit of opposition: was bulldozed into hiring an unacceptable candidate. Cow implies bringing out an abject state of timorousness and often demoralization: a dog that was cowed by abuse. To bully is to intimidate through blustering, domineering, or threatening behavior: workers who were bullied into accepting a poor contract. Bludgeon suggests the use of grossly aggressive or combative methods: had to be bludgeoned into fulfilling his duties.

Source - http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=intimidation

It seems there is a problem here. A huge one.