271 – Greater than the Haters

#faithbites #faithjourney haters

Today has been a rough day for me emotionally. Anxiety has been a wreck and all of the vitriol about sexual harassment, misconduct, abuse, #meetoo what is reporting and what isn’t reporting, why people didn’t report (#whyIdidntreport). So much blame, hate, ridicule, ignorance, and blindness was really getting to me. But then two things happened. Lunch with my daughter and then family movie night.

We had Chinese food and I got a fortune that said: Your skills are needed by others at this time. That helped a bit as I realized I do have a role to play.  Then I took a nap.

Tonight we were watching Hotel Transylvania 3 for family movie night. Minor spoiler here: At the end, Dracula jumps into a chasm to save his mortal enemy. As he’s going down, Frank asked what is he doing. Then the mummy says “You gotta be greater than the haters”. Yes, this is a cheesy kids movie. Yes, it’s not even a really good one, but that message really hit home.

Good people do bad things. A bad thing shouldn’t ruin your life, if you experienced it or if you caused it. There is forgiveness and there is justice. We need to rise above the hate and the vitriol. How hard is to apologize? How hard is it to be listened to and supported?

Scripture on Rising Above

• What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us,who can be against us? – Romans 8:31
• I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.- Romans 8:18
• Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” – Joshua 1:9

Reflection

I don’t know how many times I have talked about Love God, Love People. (I could probably find it in a database query, but let’s just say a lot).  We have sin and temptation all around us. We are told, nay, commanded to love each other. You can believe two different people and their understanding of a situation. You can be empathic without having had the same exact experience. Nothing, and I mean nothing, is made better by lashing out at someone.

I believe in justice. I believe in supporting and loving everyone. We as a people need to be greater than the haters. There will also be those who tear us down, but the Lord will always lift us up.

Charge

Do you love or hate? When you question someone, are you doing it to increase your knowledge or hurt someone? How do you express your empathy towards someone? Do you assume what someone has gone through? Tonight, we have many questions. The charge is to take one of them and reflect. Find out what God is telling you and tweak how you would answer it through your behavior.

Lord, help me to always be compassionate. Help me to listen, be strong, and be firm. Give me your strength to be greater than all haters.

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