hate, a four-letter-word

perhaps one of the most vulgar words in the english language, i often times feel that hate is worse than any other. it is rude, distasteful and dripping with the grime of a sin-laden world. it does not benefit. it only causes to tear down both the hater and the hated. it builds feelings of discontent and leads our thoughts astray from the One who gives us thought to begin with. why one would grasp at hate as if it is the only raft to save them from some insult is beyond my comprehension. but i saw it done today.

the individual chose to hate, not for themselves, but for the initial one that was "wronged". my heart aches for those caught in the throes of hatred's slimy grip. there is no happiness in there and i long to help them find the sunshine of a Jesus who can take away their pain. but when they will not let you in, how do you reach them there? at arms length i suppose, my only choice is prayer.

do not get me wrong. i have succumbed many a time myself to feelings of anger and frustration. i have disliked actions of others, and made them even more grimy by my own petty response. but i refuse to give hate the room. not because i am more powerful than it, i don't claim to ride a high horse. but its place is so disgusting that i choose to rent a room at the inn down the road rather than take refuge in its haughty power of self-righteous worth. God is my only saving grace. there is refuge with Him when sin sits upon our doorstep!

i long for heaven today. to see this world diminish from sight and mind. to be replaced with the glorious surroundings of heaven and all that it has to offer. where no more hearts will be saddened and where the only four-letter-word will be that of love.