Haters
Haters. Doubters. Nay-sayers. Skeptics. They’re always around. They never stop. They might be closer than you realize. If you don’t have any haters around, you may be doing something wrong. Or perhaps you are your own worst enemy.
I’ve not often experienced opposition to something I’ve tried to do. Quite the opposite, actually. It’s primarily because I don’t typically make waves. I don’t like confrontation. I just want everyone to get along and be nice to each other. Additionally, I’ve not often tried to do The Hard. I tend to stay on “Easy Street”, doing what is uncomplicated and effortless. Until recently, I’ve left The Hard for others to do. I had my own version of what to me was hard, but doing THE HARD was not for me.
Until it was.
And now I’m kicking myself for not trying THE HARD long ago. It makes life so much more satisfying, fulfilling and sweet. The feeling I get when I’ve conquered something hard is a feeling like no other.
But I digress…
Haters aren’t always in your face telling you that you can’t or won’t. Haters are often those that want the best for you…or what they think is best for you. Haters don’t really want you to cross that finish line or accomplish that goal. Perhaps they are intimidated by what you’re becoming. Maybe it inconveniences them. Or it might be that what you’re doing is convicting them about something they know they should be doing.
“Are you sure you should be working so hard?”
“Maybe you just need to rest…”
“Shouldn’t you be spending more time with (fill in the blank)?”
Some of these sound familiar? Who’s saying these things to you? Family? Alleged friends?
You?
There are times, however, that listening to the haters can actually do us some good.
Sometimes, if we stop to really hear what’s being said, we discover the haters pointing out a blindspot that we’ve completely missed. They’re called blindspots for a reason.
Bottom line: haters cause us to grow. It’s possible we grow stronger, or more confident. What if what they’re saying causes you to step back and make corrections? Would that be worth it? I believe so. It’s why the Bible tells us to be glad for trials and testings: “Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. (James 1:2–3).”
So be thankful for the haters. They can spur you on and make you more determined. They can accidentally show you where you can improve. Or they just might become a friend.
