Ditch the Hate — Michelle Blan

Anger.

Hatred.

Violence.

Fear.

Bigotry.

There is so much of this going around . It is the subject of many conversations, news channels are taking over household televisions, and social media has become a breeding ground for unhealthy and disturbing banter.

I have witnessed its power and ability to tear friends and family apart. And, it has to stop.

All those years ago in political science, I remember learning about political ideologies. An ideology – your ideas or beliefs that either add you to a group or remove you and put you in another – was just an ideology. It didn’t define you. The ideology you associate with may tell others about who you are or what you stand for, but it is not all that you are. It surely doesn’t tell your whole picture.

Yet, people everywhere are letting their ideas become everything. They are letting a political figure (on either side) or economic idea become the only deciding factor in their lives.

When is it going to stop?

We cannot expect everyone to stop the anger or halt the hate. What we can expect, though, is to make a change for ourselves – each one of us. We, on our own, can start being the difference. Start watching the words that come out of your mouth or from your fingers on that keyboard. Spreading mean messages from “your side” makes you just as small as “their side.”

Like most moms, mine always reminded me, “If you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all.” Let’s put this into practice. Sometimes just being quiet speaks louder anyways. Proverbs 29:22 says, “An angry person starts fights; a hot-tempered person commits all kinds of sin.” Is that really who you are? Is that who you want to be?

It’s ok to be different. It’s ok to step aside for a minute. It’s ok to not speak out or lash out at others – regardless of how much you disagree with them or think they deserve it. Look, I get it. I really do. I find myself getting angry and scared with all that is going on in our world. I worry about caring and protecting my family. I get so frustrated at times about the things I hear people saying and for not being able to understand the ideas others hold. I hurt when I see those I care about become consumed by hatred or fear.

I don’t want to live my life like that. I’m choosing to trust in God. If not him, then who?

Remember, it is not our duty to hate or judge others for what they have yet to see. We are to love them, forgive them, and show them the way.

Until next time… ❤❤