(DISCLAIMER: This is the most hate-filled post I will ever write. But it is a topic that needs addressing.)
"You're a sociopath! You're a fraud! Good thing I'm a Christian and walk the walk and don't just talk about it." A few weeks ago, I was both yelled and texted this rant, among other vile insults. The person who said and wrote these words does not know me. I spoke to this person for about two weeks and went on one date. This person is what is termed a "HATER."
The term HATER was derived after a hailstorm of people were pelted with criticism, usually by strangers on social media. However, since the beginning of time, HATE has run thick. Cain was the first human born. He was jealous of his younger brother Abel and killed him, making Abel the first human to die. Cain gave birth to HATE.
The recent shift in HATE, different from generations before, is the prevalent anonymous HATE now associated with social media and the web. People spew angry HATE on blogs, Facebook, Twitter and YouTube to name a few. HATERS face no retribution, sitting cowardly behind a screen. Rather than exiting out of the app, scrolling through the post or stopping the video, this person feels the need to pop their cyst-like HATE-filled feelings over the most petty of topics, like makeup or anime. It seems the more vapid the topic, the more puss that oozes from a HATER'S fingers.
Each device acts like a mask to HATERS, allowing them to disguise themselves. If given the opportunity to tell the victim what they really think about their latest post in person, this Jekyll and Hyde would most likely cower and run.
Then, there are people like I ran into above... the "Hypocrite Christian." You know the type, "Good thing I am a Christian and walk the walk and don't just talk about it." "I go to church every Sunday, which makes me faultless." What cracks me up about this particular type of HATERS is that they go against all that was Jesus.
Matthew 7:2 "For in the way you judge, you will be judged; and by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you..."
Luke 6:37 "Do not judge, and you will not be judged; and do not condemn, and you will not be condemned; pardon, and you will be pardoned."
Jesus walked with the sinners, the murderers, the tax collectors and prostitutes. Jesus did not go to church to be seen, to gossip, nor to judge. In my opinion, this is the biggest destroyer of church.
We live in a society so wrapped up in judging everyone you see, before they even open their mouth. When someone does open their mouth, and their opinion isn't yours, you unleash hell fire and damnation! Threats are being made to people, their livelihoods and even their families over the most ignorant of reasons!
So, the billion-dollar question is why? Why do people waste their time popping this pimple called "HATE." What good do they feel will come by discharging all of their inner most thoughts and feelings about someone in a comment section? Is it jealously or pain they're projecting? Or do they think they will become famous or rich? Sex sells... does HATE? These are questions I don't know the answer to. I'm just not wired that way.
A year ago, I was going through one of the most difficult times of my life. My marriage just ended. I was forced to sell my home. I was trying to explain all of this change to my young daughter, when I didn't understand it myself. Then, on New Year's Eve, I was diagnosed with young onset Parkinson's Disease.
Stress and negativity are like cancer, eating away at your soul. Stress weakens your immune system, can cause disease and is the largest stimulant for Parkinson's Disease. During my divorce, my tremor worsened tremendously. I lost 20 pounds on an already small frame. Hate can fester and grow, engulfing you slowly until your dead.
I felt like I needed to put a halt to all negative aspects of my life. I had been consumed by hearing about haters on social media. My heart would bleed reading abominable comments and as an empathetic person, I felt I had to do my part to end HATE. I developed a social media network called Lit Within, designed to escape the HATE. Every time, I mention the concept, people are dumbfounded by the simplicity of it. I have developed a small solution to the disgusting boil in our society that constantly festers and oozes.
By living a life lit within, forcing out negativity and removing HATE from my vocabulary, I have grown stronger emotionally, mentally and physically. (Remember my mud run?) I believe in the idea of laws of attraction. What you believe in right now, is the very thing you are attracting. Do you HATE your life? Do you HATE your marriage? Do you HATE your job or friends or home? Rather than seeing all you are blessed with, you are filling your life with HATE. Maybe because you HATE your life, you feel the need to spread it.
HATE is so prevalent in this world. Let's put an end to it. The next time you are putting your child to bed, after you've read a story and said prayers, think before you type. Ask yourself what is your point? Where is this coming from? And what good will come from it? Let's no longer infect others with the foul stench of this four letter word, HATE. Instead, build someone up. Put their insecurities to bed. Remind them they're worthy. Tell them they're magical. Be a LIGHT in an all too often dim world.
Stay tuned next week for how you can be Lit Within!