I know we hear the word “hater” so much now until it’s almost cliché’, right? I must admit, for a long time I’ve had a personal aversion to the word. I somehow felt that it was kind of petty and silly. However, the longer I live, the more I realize that haters really do dwell among us in alarming numbers! Furthermore, it’s naïve to ignore this fact.
Even though you may not adopt this particular moniker, there are three good adjectives that perfectly describe haters. Wanna hear ‘em? Here they go:
Þ Jealous
Þ Envious
Þ Insecure
Yep, that’s a near perfect assessment of their character. Got it? They’re jealous, envious and insecure. And if you plan to survive in this world and do all God has called you to do, expect to run into folks from “Hater-ville” on a regular basis.
The problem with these type people is that, they don’t feel good about themselves. They’re not living out their goals and dreams. So, they can’t stand to see you excel in life because they don’t want you to surpass them. Beware of people like this!
If you’re not careful, you’ll think they really do have your best interest at heart. You’ll shrug it off when they say negative, hurtful, mean things to you and about you. You’ll disregard it when they hurl remarks at you to embarrass you and make you feel small. You’ll excuse their unwillingness to celebrate the favor of God on your life, by saying, “That’s just how they are.” You’re right. That is how they are . . . they are haters, plain and simple.
Why am I telling you this? Because, if you don’t recognize them they’ll ruin your self-esteem. They’ll have you walking around feeling inferior and believing the lies they’ve told you. When you look in the mirror you won’t see your beauty, rather, you’ll zone in on your flaws (the ones they just so happened to point out). You’ll pick yourself apart and find yourself saying things like: “I wish I was thinner. I wish my nose wasn’t so big. I wish my hair was longer. I wish my teeth were straighter. I wish my head was smaller. I wish my legs weren’t so skinny.” And the list just goes on and on.
You were fine with your car until they said it was corny. You liked your house until they said it was too small. You loved your voice until they said you couldn’t sing. You thought you were beautiful until they said you weren’t. Can’t you see? They’re unhealthy for you.
God didn’t make you insecure. You let people do that to you. In many ways, you have begun to despise the beautiful, intelligent and capable woman that you are all because you let haters get inside your head. Listen, I tell people all the time, “Don’t let crazy folks rent space inside your head!” Uh-uh . . . that’s expensive property. Don’t let them move in, because they immediately decrease the property value. Before you know it, there goes the neighborhood.
You’re all torn down. Full of the trash and litter they’ve dispersed all over the place. Where it used to be peaceful, it’s noisy. You hear their voices in your head late at night saying all kinds of craziness. They’ve stolen the sparkle in your eye, as well as, your faith in yourself.
You don’t have to let that happen. You don’t have to allow them to control you. Instead, begin confessing the things that God has spoken to you. Stop talking down to yourself. Hold your head up high and declare that I am fearfully and wonderfully made!
It may be hard at first, especially when people you trust have told you, you aren’t good enough. Perhaps they laughed at your lofty vision. Or, they may have given you that incredulous look when you told them what you were going to do with your life. However they expressed it, you immediately knew they didn’t believe in you. Sadly, now, you don’t believe in yourself.
But, I’ve got good news for you. You can rise above their mental, verbal, emotional, and possibly even, physical assaults. God is going to show Himself strong on your behalf. All you have to do is stop looking to people and start looking to Jesus.
Listen, no one can validate you when they don’t see their own worth. People cannot give what they do not have. If they don’t love themselves, they won’t know how to love you. But God loves you more than you can imagine. He loves your: size, shape, nose, hair, teeth, head, legs and everything else, just the way it is.
What’s more, He’s going to use you to bring glory to His name.
Be warned. After reading today’s blog post, you may realize that the very folks you’ve been confiding in are really haters in disguise. If this is the case, I want you to find the strength to free yourself from their clutches. Forge ahead despite their thoughts and opinions. Then, boldly announce to the world, “I am who God says I am!”
I want you to remember this quote and say it as often as you need to: “Haters don’t define me; they refine me.”
Until next time . . . may you be empowered to prosper!
