Haters Gonna Hate
There is so much noise on social media lately. I know the easy answer would be to stop going on social media and I have had to take breaks. I've had to unfollow some people for my own wellbeing and then I have gone back and re-followed them, thinking perhaps I was being close-minded. I recently read To Hell with the Hustle by Jefferson Bethke and he talked about how we don't really listen/care about what others are feeling or saying, what we're really looking for is for people to agree with our opinions. I see this playing out in so many posts on social media from various political points, ideas surrounding the pandemic and regarding the recent protests and social justice. Everyone has their own opinions and sometimes we continuously share the same opinion over and over and over in hopes of what? Do we think the 15th time we share a post about the importance of wearing a mask we will finally break through to all of our stubborn non-mask wearing friends and they'll finally "see the light" and start wearing a mask and pretty soon everyone will wear one and we will be happy and can then rest peacefully? For one thing, we're really not changing many minds on here. For another thing, the perpetual complainer will always find something to complain about, or as Taylor says, "Haters gonna hate, hate, hate, hate, hate". I think that was the right amount of hates.
Look, I have been guilty of these things too. I was very convincted by Jefferson's comment, because I have clicked 'unfollow' when I haven't agreed with someone's post or was just annoyed by it. I realize that sometimes I need to just listen and care about what someone has to say. I may not understand where someone else is coming from, but I think that is all the more reason to show one another a little grace, compassion and empathy now and then. Isn't that often what we desire or expect from others?
I know I am not going to gain many likes on this post, and frankly, I don't care. I don't share for affirmation. I share because I feel compelled. I have been trying to avoid conflict and I am coming to realize that conflict is just part of life and sometimes we just need to call out the crap. I want you to call it out with me. If I post something that you find hurtful, unkind, insensitive, by all means, kindly redirect me. I am a work in progress and I screw up. I really do think before I share, so I am hoping no one finds anything hurtful, but I'm being real. I want to know because I want to grow. I can keep trying to be more like Jesus and I hope you will all try too. Try asking yourself before you post, if what you are sharing is going to help, uplift or encourage others or if you are just trying to 'rally the troops' to keep getting the same 5 likes from the same 5 people that have the same exact thoughts on everything as you do. Can we all try to be more loving and accepting? We are all God's children and He created uniquely. Let's celebrate our differences and uniqueness!! They are beautiful things! Let's stop being so loud on social media and spend a little more time listening. Maybe we could learn more if we stopped trying to always make our opinions heard. Maybe if we step into the shoes of someone totally different from us and listen to their story, maybe we would gain compassion. If we all had more compassion, then maybe we can start healing as a nation. I would love to hear your story.
God,
Please help us to be better listeners, to stop trying to compete with one another and to be more loving to each other. Lord, you know my heart, you have allowed it to go through painful processes in order to help me grow. As much as it hurts sometimes, please continue to change my heart, to see all of Your beautiful people through Your incredible eyes that love unconditionally. Lead us to a place of complete trust in You and let Your approval be the only one we seek. Amen.
There is so much noise on social media lately. I know the easy answer would be to stop going on social media and I have had to take breaks. I've had to unfollow some people for my own wellbeing and then I have gone back and re-followed them, thinking perhaps I was being close-minded. I recently read To Hell with the Hustle by Jefferson Bethke and he talked about how we don't really listen/care about what others are feeling or saying, what we're really looking for is for people to agree with our opinions. I see this playing out in so many posts on social media from various political points, ideas surrounding the pandemic and regarding the recent protests and social justice. Everyone has their own opinions and sometimes we continuously share the same opinion over and over and over in hopes of what? Do we think the 15th time we share a post about the importance of wearing a mask we will finally break through to all of our stubborn non-mask wearing friends and they'll finally "see the light" and start wearing a mask and pretty soon everyone will wear one and we will be happy and can then rest peacefully? For one thing, we're really not changing many minds on here. For another thing, the perpetual complainer will always find something to complain about, or as Taylor says, "Haters gonna hate, hate, hate, hate, hate". I think that was the right amount of hates.
Look, I have been guilty of these things too. I was very convincted by Jefferson's comment, because I have clicked 'unfollow' when I haven't agreed with someone's post or was just annoyed by it. I realize that sometimes I need to just listen and care about what someone has to say. I may not understand where someone else is coming from, but I think that is all the more reason to show one another a little grace, compassion and empathy now and then. Isn't that often what we desire or expect from others?
I know I am not going to gain many likes on this post, and frankly, I don't care. I don't share for affirmation. I share because I feel compelled. I have been trying to avoid conflict and I am coming to realize that conflict is just part of life and sometimes we just need to call out the crap. I want you to call it out with me. If I post something that you find hurtful, unkind, insensitive, by all means, kindly redirect me. I am a work in progress and I screw up. I really do think before I share, so I am hoping no one finds anything hurtful, but I'm being real. I want to know because I want to grow. I can keep trying to be more like Jesus and I hope you will all try too. Try asking yourself before you post, if what you are sharing is going to help, uplift or encourage others or if you are just trying to 'rally the troops' to keep getting the same 5 likes from the same 5 people that have the same exact thoughts on everything as you do. Can we all try to be more loving and accepting? We are all God's children and He created uniquely. Let's celebrate our differences and uniqueness!! They are beautiful things! Let's stop being so loud on social media and spend a little more time listening. Maybe we could learn more if we stopped trying to always make our opinions heard. Maybe if we step into the shoes of someone totally different from us and listen to their story, maybe we would gain compassion. If we all had more compassion, then maybe we can start healing as a nation. I would love to hear your story.
God,
Please help us to be better listeners, to stop trying to compete with one another and to be more loving to each other. Lord, you know my heart, you have allowed it to go through painful processes in order to help me grow. As much as it hurts sometimes, please continue to change my heart, to see all of Your beautiful people through Your incredible eyes that love unconditionally. Lead us to a place of complete trust in You and let Your approval be the only one we seek. Amen.
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