You know it’s funny how folks come out, against you, when God is elevating you to a new level. It’s common with politicians when all of the “women” they’ve been seeing behind closed doors just happen to get an interview on the nightly news when they are running for some type of election. It’s also common in the church, because the church is too busy trying to conform to the world instead of allowing the world to conform to them. You have women and men who only go after folk for their convenience and once they are no longer getting what they want, they start telling everybody but why not tell it during the sin? Please don’t get me wrong, if a person (man or woman) is doing wrong when they know they shouldn’t be, then they should be punished because all actions have consequences but what I’m saying is there is a big difference about shedding light on a bad situation and hating on the person. Now, the “hate” I am referring to in this devotional is basically the same as jealousy but with a new age twist. See, it used to be if folks hated on you for what you had or what you knew they would probably stop coming around but now when folks hate on you they make it known to the world. With Facebook, Twitter, text messages and email folks have become bolder in their attacks. I don’t have an issue with social networking because it isn’t the problem but it’s the folks who use it in the wrong way. When they don’t have to stand face to face with you they tend to gain power in the words they used.
If I get a promotion on my job and you stand behind me throwing rocks and then hiding your hands, by trying to get me fired or talking negatively then you are a hater! If the Pastor ask Sis Shoutly to be over Women’s Day this year and now you’re trying to convince everybody to not work with her then you are a hater! If every time your brother pulls up in the car that he’s had for over a year and you get mad and say he thinks he’s something when he ain’t nothing, you’re a hater! If you continue to bring up all the bad things I did in my past each time you see me working for the Lord, you’re a hater! If you’re still caught up on your ex who has moved on and remarried and you still post negative comments with his name tagged in it on Facebook, you’re a hater! If you follow your baby daddy on twitter and then re-tweet when he talks about his new girlfriend, you’re a hater! If you constantly wish bad over my life because I’m doing better now that you’re gone, yes, you are a hater! The bible says in 1 John 3:15, “Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him.” See, you can’t expect God to stand for you when you are busy trying to bring down your brother and sister all because you choose to hate! Baby, God won’t be in the midst of this. You have to realize that favor isn’t fair but it sure is fabulous and if you want it, get it for yourself. If I’ve worked hard to get where I am, you hating won’t stop it because I’ve come to realize that if you don’t have haters, it means you’re not doing something right. See, I choose to make all those who hate on me my motivators. Yea, I thank God for them daily because they keep me striving to be better in my Christian walk because if my Christian walk is better then everything I touch will be anointed by God and when my touch is anointed I won’t be disappointed. When my touch is anointed, everything I put my hands on is blessed which means I can’t be stressed. When my touch is anointed everywhere I place my feet is filled with grace so it just quickens my pace. When MY touch is anointed I’m bound to have haters so I welcome you!
James 4:2 says, “You want what you don’t have, so you scheme and kill to get it. You are jealous of what others have, but you can’t get it, so you fight and wage war to take it away from them. Yet you don’t have what you want because you don’t ask God for it.” There isn’t a reason for you to hate when all you have to do is ask God for it. I know you expect him to be as quick as a microwave dinner but God doesn’t work that way. He said, “If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you” (John 15:7) but he didn’t say it’ll be on your terms because most times we ask for the things we want and not the things we need so he determines when you’re ready. Yes, you may think you’re ready for a new car note but God knows that sickness is getting ready to attack your body and your finances will be off for a while, so he makes you wait. Yes, you may think you’re ready for that brand new expensive house but God knows the man/woman you’re with won’t stick & stay, so he’s saying not yet. Yes, you may be ready to find a new job and move out of town but God knows your mom is going to need you so he is saying just wait a little while. When God doesn’t give you what you think you need or he removes something from your grasp it only because it’s for your best. Don’t you know that God has already predestined your life so the things you go through and will go through are already planned? Child, God has already told you “Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you. Before you were born, I set you apart for my holy purpose. (Jeremiah 1:5).” God didn’t allow his only Son to die so that you could live everyday hating on folks. God doesn’t put breath in your body everyday so you can make a point to speak negative about folks all day long. God doesn’t give you strength and a right mind every day for you to tear folks down. The bible says in Psalm 97:10 “Let those who love the LORD hate evil, for he guards the lives of his faithful ones and delivers them from the hand of the wicked.” It is your God given duty to love me. I didn’t say you couldn’t get mad but don’t stay mad and stop hating because hating doesn’t look good on you and it blocks your blessing. Psalm 145:20 says, “The LORD watches over all who love him, but all the wicked he will destroy.” Don’t let your mouth destroy all that God has for you here on Earth and all that he has prepared for you in your new home. When you hate, you hinder healing and without healing you don’t have hope and without hope you have no faith and without faithfulness you have no favor without favor you have no flavor and without flavor you fail!
Lakisha, the Author 