Is There Hope In This Hate?
When evil men plot, good men must plan. When evil men burn and bomb, good men must build and bind. When evil men shout ugly words of hatred, good men must commit themselves to the glories of love. Where evil men would seek to perpetuate an unjust status quo, good men must seek to bring into being a real order of justice. -Martin Luther King, Jr.
Is There HOPE in this Hate?
Friends, I know our hearts are heavy with the devastation we have witnessed in our country. Reading through Facebook is painful. A constant stream of anger, rage, violence, and hate fills the pages. There is a sprinkling of the promoting of awareness, waking up those living in a bubble, or the calming the masses and bringing peace.
But much of it seems to serve the mission of tearing down bridges and deepening the veins of hatred.
And it comes from both sides of these issues.
Are we oblivious to the effects of our words? To our tone? To the way we communicate with each other? Are we too wrapped into our own worlds and opinions to see that what we say and how we say it makes a difference?
I’m not an “important” someone with an important position or platform. I’m just a regular person like most of you.
Surely, I can’t profess to have all the answers. Nor can I claim to fully understand the depth and dimensionality to the problem eating away at our country.
But, as a wife. A mom. A daughter. A sister. A friend. I can tell you unrighteous anger, rage, violence, and hate is not the answer.
It can’t be. It is only giving satan pure joy as he wraps hate around our hearts. He rejoices as we kill each other both physically and emotionally.
It is sinking us deeper into the depths of sin. A depth that leaves no room for hope.
As I have watched the news and read the reports, I have been burdened with that very feeling. Hopelessness. Anyone else?
God is in Control
I know God has this in His control. Even this. He is bigger than anything the enemy can deal out. But in my day-to-day, what can I do? How can I, in my everyday world, make a difference? How can I breed hope in the midst of all this hate?
As I’ve tossed and turned at night, I came up with these six ideas:
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Hold ourselves to the highest level of self-discipline possible.
That means in our speech, our actions, and our emotions. Control them. Run them through the Jesus Filter. Do they line up with His Word? Do they line up with what He would do? If not, stop. Now. No excuses and no rantings on a social media platform. No ugly looks directed toward another nor verbal annihilations. God has grace for the times we slip, but we must hold ourselves to a higher standard.
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Teach our children how to speak and talk with respect to and about ALL others.
Not dependent on age, social status, racial or sexual identity. Respect. We teach them by explaining, modeling, and expecting nothing less from them. We hold them accountable for their actions.
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Speak truth in love.
Not truth with a disrespectful tone. Or truth based on our pride or personal agenda. If someone is mistreating another, we need to speak up. We need to defend. But we do it without rage, violence, or hate. Let us be bold to teach our children this, too.
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We pray.
We pray as never before and unite together without regard to lines of segregation. As children of God, we are all in this together. In our hearts or in our minds we may have an opinion that leads us closer to one side or the other. But in prayer, that difference is put aside and we pray for healing. We pray for an end to violence and we pray for self-discipline as we work toward an even stronger country. God, we pray for You to put an end to the evil flourishing in our land. We pray for the forgiveness of all of us who have sinned in thought, word, and deed.
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Share the love of Christ with everyone in our world.
From the bank clerk, to the landscaper, to the family in our home. Love well. Show kindness. Surprise them with a compliment or gift. Smile. And hug those you love a little closer than before.
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Remind ourselves and our children of our blessings each and every day.
A thankful heart and thankful attitude fill our lives and the lives of others with hope. Hope for a better tomorrow.
Lord, we lift our country up to You right now and we ask You to step into this mess and heal all that is broken. Grab hold of our hearts, our actions, our thoughts and make them righteous before You. We repent of every thought, word, and deed that grieves Your heart. Lord, we pray for a uniting because together we can make change, but divided we cannot. May we think about our neighbors instead of being lost in the depths of our selfishness. Lord, You are a God of order, not a God of chaos. We ask that Your will be done. Your hope flourish. And Your peace reign here on Earth as it does in Heaven. In Your precious and holy name we pray. Amen.
Is there hope in the hate? What can we do in our everyday lives to help? #hope #atimelikethis Share on X
The words of hope left here last week encouraged my heart. Reading messages of hope help to keep our minds focusing on the right things. Ways to improve ourselves and see the world through the lens of thankfulness. Your words have never been more needed!
Yours resonate within all of us Lori. They do bring hope and hopefully healing for many hearts that are broken right now. Thanks for hosting.
Thank you, Michelle. I am praying intensely for that hope and healing, my friend. Hugs!
We can feel helpless and hopeless in the chaos and tragedy or our times, but Lori, you are giving us the steps we can take to make a difference. God will use those wise choices we make to make a difference. Thanks so much for speaking into this and thanks also for the linkup!
Amen, Beth! I am believing with you that God will make a difference as we fall in step with Him and make our own wise choices. Did I mention yet that I love having you back from your break? You always bring so much to the conversation and bless me so GREAT BIG!
We shared similar thoughts today, Lori! Thank you for this! I’m sharing it all over! There is hope in love. Always!
Awww … Deb, I love that our thoughts were similar today! However, I’m not surprised because I love everything you write! Your heart is like a great big hug even all the way across the many states between us! I can’t wait to stop by a little later today to read and share yours, too!
Lori- there is always hope in Him! We need to band together and let our light shine and our prayers flow heavenward. God is good all the time even when we can’t see it with our human eyes.
He has the master plan!
I enjoyed this and I’m praying with you!
Julie
Thank you so much for praying with me, Julie! I know God is hearing our prayers! Bless you!
Yes, Yes and Amen!! I love these words and the ideas you came up with, Lori! It’s so true that responding in anger and hate accomplishes nothing. We are ambassadors for Christ, representing His love. Love is the answer. Thank you for sharing these words of encouragement today.
Amen, Alisa! We are ambassadors for Christ, representing His love … beautifully said! Thank you for joining me in sharing as much hope as possible in this world that needs it so desperately!
Thank you Lori! It’s an honor to be featured here this week!
Thank YOU, Laura! I love your work! Your hope shines brightly!
These are such encouraging words and tips, Lori. I also have seen and heard so much hopelessness from others, but as believers, we are to be the bringers of hope, not the ones wringing our hands with the world. Thanks for being that light. If we all bring our individual lights, what a bright place this could be!
Thank you and Amen, Lisa! I’m praying for more and more to light that flame once again and shine it brightly into a world that needs it so desperately! Thanks so much for stopping by today, friend!
I have to tell you, I actually deleted my Facebook account last year. In part to control my online time, but even more, was to remove myself from the constant negativity and ugliness. Sadly, social media has taken away our manners. I guess we feel that since we’re not saying something to someone’s face that we can go ahead and call them an ugly name or argue with them by way of comments. I try to live by the old adage, “If you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all.”
Thank you for your wise, inspiring words.
Blessings,
Patti @ Embracing Home
Patti, I understand why you deleted Facebook! It really does feel heavy and negative at times, doesn’t it! I’ve had to pray my way through those feelings and continue to speak encouragement in that dark place! Thank you so much for visiting today!
Love your 6 action points, Lori. I am trying to remind myself that God is still on the throne, so I need not fear. I must step out in faith and let my little light shine brightly during these dark times.
I’m praying for that beautiful reminder, Lyli! Amen … God is still on the throne! You have a beautifully bright light. Shine on, girl!!! Hugs,
Lori
Very wise and thoughtful words, Lori!
I love your reminder to teach our children how to respond well. Maybe if more moms and dads did this, we wouldn’t be having so much trouble today!
I’m blessed by you and this link up~
“Even this.” Yes, God is above all and in all. He knows. As I prayed your prayer with you, I am reminded that God created all from “chaos” and “it was good.” Lori, I am so touched by the words here and feel each one in my being. I believe our God will guide us to do His will in this world. Your words tie directly to the hope that is God. Praising the Lord for you, ~ linda
These words you shared today are timely and true. God is our hope. Thank you for hosting this link up each week and thank you for sharing these encouraging words.
Beautifully stated and so poignant Lori! Thank you for sharing your heart and these well thought out ideas that all of us can apply to our lives. This is definitely a difficult time for my city and our country. May we as Christians show the love that Jesus shows as the necessary healing takes place. Thank you again for sharing this timely post my friend Blessings to you and yours.
Thanks for sharing this and for the link up! I agree that there is too much division and anger in the midst of trying times. We need to respect and love each other, regardless of our differences, just as Jesus loved and respected those around Him.
Yes, truth and love. May they prevail.
We gain nothing when we act out of fear – or misunderstanding.
Thanks, Lori.
You are right, Michele. Nothing good comes out of acting out of fear!
I can attest to that. Not too long ago, I was so overwhelmed with hate. But I’m okay now. 🙂
I am so thankful your heart is healed, Lux!
It is funny because a few weeks ago I was thinking about the things on my FB page and the ones I share and I realized I was helping no one. Yes I have very strong views about a lot of things going on in this world, but who am I to think that by sharing a meme about it to my friends it is going to help anything? I know that God has us all in the palm of His hand and it matters not who is in the white house. Our blessings and care come from above from our Savior. So I try hard not to let what others post affect me in any way, but I am a work in progress.
Oh, friend, we are all a work in progress! Let’s lift each other up so that we can all share online and in real time that which glorifies the Lord! Thank you so much for visiting today!
Thank you once again for your blog and your words Lori… and your encouragement to help us in the ever increasingly hard challenge…that of keeping hope alive in today’s world. Thank you for being a beacon and a cheerleader of faith hope and charity x
Your words are so kind, Jade. Thank you ♥
I kept asking, “What’s the solution” when Is see the anger/frustration on the news and facebook. And then it hit me “Jesus Christ.” He is the only one that can unify and bring true peace to this situation in our nation today.
Amen, Sarah Jean! Thank you so much for visiting and joining in the conversation!
I have so many of these same questions and feelings. As a regular person just like you, I am struggling with what to DO. I don’t really think I’m part of the problem, but I certainly don’t feel like a part of the solution. One thing I have started to do it open up some honest lines of communication with some of my Black friends. It has been eye opening and is drawing us together even deeper. I hope that through these connections we might begin to bridge the gap! Blessings to you for your words today!
Thanks so much for sharing, Liz! I agree … open honest conversations spoken with love are very important to drawing us together!
I agree with your points. God’s people have to commit ourselves to Him and live lives of righteousness in the face of evil and lovelessness. It’s only as we stand out as different that others will be drawn to His Light. thanks for your post!
Love is the answer… great post! Powerful prayer. Leaning in with you! My pastor said the other day that he thinks we don’t need more kingdoms full of people, but more people full of the Kingdom and I really loved that!
“Are we oblivious to the effects of our words? To our tone? To the way we communicate with each other? Are we too wrapped into our own worlds and opinions to see that what we say and how we say it makes a difference?”
I think as humans we are just lazy and prideful in general. We often don’t think about things before we say things because we are too busy or are putting our own agendas first. Love your six points — such a blessing!! <3