There is a way to warn, chastise, correct, or rebuke. It doesn’t have to be public. Social media, the opinion capital of the internet, shows us how quickly public pronouncements can backfire, and send posters scrambling to delete what they thought was a good idea.
Want to inspire total strangers to do a deep dive into your own personal Sea of Forgetfulness? Say something derogatory, untrue, or inflammatory. Chances are, trolls will happily find fishy receipts for you to swallow along with a little humble pie.
The manner in which people elevate themselves to the loftiest heights of moral virtue, and publicly criticize others, sometimes proves they are, perhaps, the least of the pure in heart, and the most desirous of clicks and likes. The bold crusade against others is often an attempt to make a name for oneself. “All have sinned”, which makes the practice of judging and shaming others according to our own beliefs, preferences, and values, a hypocritical and tricky enterprise. Being able to take what you dish out is key. Many prove that they’re more adept at slinging mud than being hit by it. There’s always the danger of rocks and pebbles in the mix.
It is quite a feat to mind oneself; to soberly and honestly examine one’s own motives. Even on one’s best day, a random thought renders one a candidate for starting all over again. Why tear down another person? It’s certainly not because our own baggage is squeaky clean and neatly sorted.
Many things demand to be addressed, but I fear for the rabidly judgmental among us— those whose penchant for calling out all that is wrong and inappropriate, covers everything and everyone except themselves. They have given internet trolls (and the enemy of their souls) permission to wage war; to expose and exploit their weaknesses; to reward them with embarrassment for their hypocrisy, and remind them of their humanity as a result of the grace they enjoy, but fail to show others.
You can be right in theory, and still turn others off.
The way you criticize, can amass new and vigorous support and sympathy for the very thing or person you hate.
Attacking is not helping. There is a way to lead, mentor, help, inform, or counsel if you think someone is on the wrong path. A sure way to lose your own footing and following, however, is to forget the role that mercy and favor have played in your own life.
You aren’t where, or who you are because of your own perfection. You, too, needed to be shown patience and understanding.
Replace arrogance with gratitude; self righteousness with humility and it will color how you view the world and those in it. Others may be more apt to hear and respect you and your estimation of a thing, person, or situation if they detect genuine concern as opposed to jealousy, intolerance, or insecurity. Don’t invite the dilemma that will show you just how little integrity you have, because you extend no grace to others. Words, and how you use them, matter.
Setting out to humiliate others is a good way to find yourself humiliated. High horses are surprisingly easy to mount, but the fall from them is spectacular, revealing, painful, and sometimes public.
Beware comparing yourself to, condemning or dismissing others. Targeting, belittling, or bullying someone who you think is beneath you in order to feel good about yourself, says more about your failings, issues, and self worth than theirs.
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