Christ With Coffee On Ice - Episode: "But What If We Don't Agree?"

Release Date: February 14, 2025
Host: Ally Yost

Introduction

In this heartfelt episode of "Christ With Coffee On Ice," host Ally Yost navigates listeners through the turbulent waters of societal disagreements, particularly in the political arena. Released on Valentine's Day, the episode intertwines themes of love, compassion, and unity, encouraging Christians to embody the teachings of Jesus even amidst conflict.

Setting the Stage

Ally begins by sharing a personal moment of seeking divine guidance:

"I was sitting with the Lord this morning, and I was like, God, I literally have no idea what we're gonna talk about today."
[00:58]

Surprisingly, she feels led to address a typically sensitive and polarizing topic—not Valentine's themes—highlighting the Lord's unexpected direction.

The Call for Peace Amidst Conflict

Ally emphasizes her divine inspiration to discuss the growing tension and conflict in the country, particularly following recent elections and presidential decisions:

"We're going to talk about how to handle conflict when it comes to the topic of politics and how to create peace among our brothers and sisters and our neighbors as we disagree."
[02:10]

She underscores the importance of addressing these "elephants in the room," driven by her interpretation of Jesus's desire for peace:

"I just keep hearing the word peace over and over again. And I'm praying and I'm hearing the word peace..."
[04:10]

Biblical Foundations for Unity and Compassion

Ally delves into scriptures that underpin her message of loving those we disagree with. She references Luke 6:30-36, advocating for compassion even towards adversaries:

"Love your enemies, do good to them, lend to them without expecting to be repaid. Then your reward from heaven will be very great, and you will truly be acting as children of the Most High."
[07:56]

She further explores Galatians 5:14, highlighting that the essence of God's law boils down to:

"Love your neighbor as yourself."
[19:59]

Practical Steps to Loving in Disagreement

Ally offers actionable advice on fostering understanding and compassion:

1. Shift the Mindset: Instead of viewing disagreements as battles to win, see them as opportunities for deeper connection.

   "If there's anything that we can be better at, I feel the Lord challenging us to really be slow to speak and slow to get offended."
   [33:03]

2. Seek Understanding: Replace statements like "I can't understand how..." with "Help me understand why you..." to foster respectful dialogue.

   "Instead of 'I can't understand how,' change it to 'I want to understand how.'"
   [23:50]

3. Prayer and Compassion: Utilize prayer to center focus on God, seeking the compassion needed to love those who oppose us.

   "Through prayer, we gain the compassion we need to love those we don't like."
   [24:02]

4. Be Peacemakers: Strive to be a source of peace in every interaction, echoing Romans 12:18.

   "If it's possible, live at peace with everyone. As far as it depends on you..."
   [25:13]

Jesus as the Ultimate Example

Ally illustrates how Jesus interacted with those who disagreed with Him, reinforcing that compassion and firm truth can coexist:

• Forgiveness: Jesus forgave those who crucified Him, exemplifying boundless compassion.

  "Jesus never disowned or disrespected those who disagreed with Him. He loved them."
  [29:35]

• Dialogue Over Confrontation: He engaged with individuals like the woman caught in adultery and the thief on the cross with mercy and understanding.

  "He was never cruel about it... Jesus was firm in some conversations or sharper in his deliverance, but it was out of love and hope."
  [28:32]

Navigating Online Conflicts

Acknowledging the pervasive influence of social media, Ally advises approaching online disagreements with the same compassion:

"Whatever you post or comment, remember you are speaking to a real human being that is deeply loved by God."
[21:30]

She encourages transforming confrontational statements into opportunities for meaningful conversations:

"Instead of saying, 'I can't understand how someone could vote that way,' ask, 'Help me understand why you vote this way.'"
[23:50]

The Role of the Holy Spirit

Ally emphasizes that genuine compassion and effective conflict resolution stem from the Holy Spirit:

"Accessing the spirit of God is the best thing that you can do in that moment and ask, 'Jesus, what do you want me to do?'"
[18:05]

She highlights that without divine guidance, maintaining compassion in conflict is challenging:

"We have to communicate with the author to find the solution, AKA the Spirit."
[31:13]

Encouragement and Call to Action

As the episode draws to a close, Ally urges listeners to embody these principles in their daily interactions:

"If there's anything that we take away is becoming a peacemaker in these kinds of situations."
[25:21]

She shares a personal challenge to love others more deeply, advocating for ongoing spiritual growth and unity:

"This is the Lord's challenge for all of us... love everyone."
[32:59]

Final Reflections

Ally concludes with a resounding message of love and unity, reinforcing the episode's core teachings:

"Being quicker to listen and to try to understand where people are coming from is how we can show somebody how cool Jesus is today."
[35:53]

She encourages the community to continue fostering compassionate dialogues, both within the church and beyond, as a testament to their faith:

"Every single person walking this earth was made in the image of God. And we have to look different, y'all. We have to look different by loving people."
[34:05]

Key Takeaways

• Embrace Unity Through Disagreement: Christians are called to maintain unity and peace even when opinions diverge.

• Practice Compassion and Understanding: Shift conversations from confrontation to genuine curiosity and empathy.

• Rely on the Holy Spirit: True compassion stems from divine guidance, enabling believers to handle conflicts gracefully.

• Be Peacemakers in All Arenas: Whether online or in personal relationships, strive to be a source of peace and love.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• "Love your enemies, do good to them..." — Luke 6:30-36
  [07:56]

• "Do not judge others and you will not be judged..." — Luke 6:37
  [15:25]

• "Let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger." — James 1:19
  [31:32]

• "A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger." — Proverbs 15:1
  [31:34]

• "Love your neighbor as yourself." — Galatians 5:14
  [19:59]

• "If there's anything that we take away is becoming a peacemaker in these kinds of situations."
  [25:21]

Conclusion

In "But What If We Don't Agree?", Ally Yost masterfully blends scriptural insights with practical advice, urging listeners to navigate disagreements with the love and compassion exemplified by Jesus. By fostering understanding and unity, Christians can become beacons of peace in a divided world, truly embodying the essence of walking with Christ.