Haters, doubt, and insecurity

We live in a world that has become increasingly accepting of negativity and hate.

Many people feel that it’s their place to tear down others. To demean, attack, and wish harm.

I knew by starting this page, I’d be opening myself up to this. I also knew that if this page began gaining any traction, I’d meet others impacted by this.

Note that I say “impacted” and not victim, victimized, victim of, or any other iteration. I am not, nor will I ever be, a victim. There are no words or actions that anyone can take against me to make me a victim.

Of all the communications I receive from this page, 30% are hateful.

You’ve asked who I think I am to write these things. Read the about page, that’s why it’s there.

You’ve asked how I can speak for God. I don’t speak for God. He doesn’t need me to. What I do is share the experiences I’ve had, how I came through them, and how God saves me daily. He asks that we spread His word, and if I can help one other person find the peace and love of God, then I’m doing something right.

You’ve wished death upon me. All I can say to this is get in line.

What I’m about to say may sound like vitriol, but it isn’t. It’s simply a statement of fact. I’ve been beaten, stabbed, shot, faced physical, emotional, and spiritual enemies who wanted me dead, been run over by a semi-truck, been homeless, been hungry, abused, and overcame hardships I wouldn’t wish on anyone.

I’ve walked into the darkness, I’ve faced evil, and I’ve come out of the light on the other side of it.

How? Because God gave me the strength to endure, persevere, and stand in the face of adversity.

There is nothing anyone can say or do that will keep me down.

Until God decides it’s my time to be called home, I’ll simply continue to get up if knocked down. I’ll move forward. I’ll keep reaching out to help those that need it.

To those that send me these hateful things, I’m praying for you. I hope that you find peace and healing from whatever is causing you to feel this way.

We’ve all had the shared experience of hardship. The cause of these hardships is not going to all be the same, but that doesn’t negate the fact that pain is pain. And pain hurts.

What I’ve found in this journey of life is that when others attack us in the ways I’ve mentioned here. The problem is theirs. Not yours.

They want you to doubt.

They want you to question what you’re doing.

They want you to question who you are and who God created you to be.

They want you to hurt.

But, the simple truth is that they don’t have the power to do this unless you give it to them.

I’m not saying what people like this do isn’t going to hurt at times. It will.

We’re all human here. With that comes the complexities and simplicities of fear, doubt, and shame. Yet, at the same time, you have strength, compassion, and greatness to combat those things.

And most importantly, you have a God that is greater than all the negative things to stand in this fight with you. If you haven’t found God, reach out. I’ll stand with you and pray for both of us.

These kinds of actions are taken to tear us down. To foster doubt, confusion, and fear.

I implore you to not let the actions of others have that power.

We each have a unique and undeniable light within us that was created for us. Don’t let the words or actions of others dim or extinguish that light.

One thing I can promise you is that the stronger you become in your belief in yourself and your faith, the less people can hurt you.

As you grow in your belief in yourself and your faith, you will come to the realization that you have the strength to stand strong in the storm of all those things that come at you. Yes, you’ll stumble and fall at times, but you can and will get back up.

Everyone is not going to understand your greatness. Many will be intimidated by and scared of it.

But just because not everyone gets it doesn’t mean there is something wrong with you.

There isn’t.

There are many biblical references to God hiding us and the gifts He has bestowed upon us for our protection. Psalm 17:8, Psalm 27:5, Psalm 31:4, Psalm 31:20, Psalm 64:2, and that’s just one book of The Bible. I could go on.

You are loved. You have value. You have purpose.

Just not everyone will be able to see or understand it at that time.

Believe in yourself as God does, even if others don’t.

Love yourself as God does, even if others don’t.

Encourage and love others as God does.

Stand in what you know is right and true and good.

Far too often, we let the thoughts and actions of others influence those things we are here to do.

Seek counsel and gain wisdom, but don’t let the insecurities, lack of knowledge and understanding, or hurtful actions of others stop you from what you know you should be doing.

Don’t let others stop you, ever.

Scream into the storm.

Let your light shine as it was meant to.

You were built for greatness. Go get it.