Email Terrorism

Ever received an email with a subject line like “MAD AT YOU!!!!” or “PROBLEM WITH YOU”? Maybe someone was really nice and wrote “Concern” as the subject line. If it was from someone at church, the subject line may have even said, “Prayerfully.”

Isn’t that sweet?

Email terrorism happens when someone attacks you through email (or facebook, twitter, etc) instead of addressing their concerns face to face. In their warped thinking, some find it too easy to “speak their mind” in a way they’d never be brave enough for in person or for that matter, even over the phone.

I’ve found it so amazing in times past that after I’ve received a terrorist email, the same person is a lot nicer in person. That’s because email terrorists refuse to handle conflict in person. It’s much too easy to take pot shots from a safe distance.

Most of the time, these kinds of emails hurt the terrorist much more than they hurt the recipient.  Instead of breaking out of their shell, they mistakenly build the walls of insecurity around them higher and higher. For the terrorist, learning how to properly deal with conflict in a spiritual manner (Matthew 18:15-17) produces perhaps the deepest character growth anyone can experience. It forces someone to face the fear of being extremely uncomfortable but facing our fears head on improves our character.

What should we do when we receive a terrorist email?

1.     Do not respond to their direct concerns. Don’t even mention them!

2.     Don’t turn into an email terrorist yourself. Love them like Jesus would love them.

3.     Do not defend yourself by email.

4.     Invite the person to come talk with you face to face about their concerns.

5.     Do not waste your time emailing back and forth. It’s madness!

6.     Drop the issue. Handle it when they come to you in person. My dad used to say, “Don’t let them get your goat!”