In A World Full of Hate

Author: Saleama A. Ruvalcaba, MATS

I’ll be frank. I can’t stand looking at this world today. I am so tired of people fighting with each other. I am so tired of people doing everything they can to prove the other person wrong. I am tired of the political war we’re subjected to. I am tired of people not understanding history, and not taking the time to read to understand history. It is sad to see that people can be so easily baited into believing anything simply because it’s on the news, on social media, or because someone who they deem important said it. We live in a sad world.

As sad as it is, the Bible already told us it would be sad. It’s just hard to believe when you see it with your eyes.

 

1 John 1:8 “If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.”

 

Romans 5:12 “Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned.”

 

Jeremiah 17:9 “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it.?”

When we read only these three verses (of the many, many verses in the Bible about sin) we are quickly reminded how sinful man is. We are wicked! What we are seeing in this world right now is wickedness! It’s always been here but it’s at its peak right now.

Can we even be happy and hopeful in a world full of hate?

It’s hard to say yes, but I believe we can.

But how?

How can we be happy in a world of hate?

For one, we must remain focused on God. We have to remind ourselves that Jesus Christ defeated evil. Jesus Christ overcame this evil world – so we can overcome it as well.

The Bible reminds us how to stay focused on Him:

Romans 12:12 “Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.”

 

Hebrews 11:1 “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.”

 

Isaiah 40:31 “But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with the wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.”

We can be happy when we turn to Scripture. Scripture gives us the reassurance that God is in control – even though it looks like we are living in a world out of control. People might be out of control, but God is not. God knows all. God sees all. He sees the heart of each person.

He sees your heart.

Believe it or not, you don’t have to look at TV all day or look at social media all day. You can spend that time talking to God. The more time you send looking at the hatred in this world, the more it will affect your joy and happiness. But the more time you spend worshipping and praising God – you will feel His presence and have joy. People might think you’re crazy for living and staying happy right now – but do it anyway.

Praise God anyway!

Read Scripture – hopeful Scripture – anyway!

Do activities that make you happy – anyway!

Call people and have  happy conversations – anyway!

Pray, pray, and pray for this world! Pray for God to move. Pray for revival. Pray for families. Pray for marriages. Pray for leaders.

Pray!

The hatred and division is BIG right now – but your joy can be BIGGER – if you allow it.

God’s influence in this world is always bigger than evil. The more you focus on God the more people you will influence for God. The more people who need to know Jesus Christ will increase. It might not feel like it, but we can influence happiness – when WE do our part to be happy and joyful in a world full of hate.

~Saleama A. Ruvalcaba, MATS