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*I think I'm better than Jesus.

‘HE HATE ME'

In spring of 2001, XFL player Rod Smith adopted the name ‘He hate me’ on the back of his football jersey. I thought it was absolutely hilarious.

But I could never do it.

To be frank, the thought of someone hating me makes me want to crawl up in a cave and suck my thumb. I hate, repeat, HATE being hated.

On a ‘how do you respond to being hated or criticized’ scale of 1 to 10, with 1 being brush it off easily and 10 being I go nuts, I’d rank a 15...

I absolutely cannot stand the thought of being hated, disliked, criticized or disagreed with by anyone.

Even strangers.

I’d actually rather be ignored than hated.

To make matters worse... Jesus says I can’t truly follow him without being hated.

"You will be hated by everyone because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved" -Matthew 10:22

“If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first" -John 15:18

As I read that, I’m confronted with a very sobering thought:

I think I’m better than Jesus.

I actually think I’m better than Jesus...
And so do you if you respond to criticism and hatred like I do.

You know how i know?

Because we think we can pull off what Jesus didn’t pull off. I think I can do what Jesus couldn’t do.

I think I can get everyone to like me.
If i try hard enough, I think -unlike Jesus- I can preach truth filled sermons that won’t offend anyone.
I think I can draw the line in the sand AND be beloved by opposing camps.
I think I can go out on a blaze of applause without any boo's.
I think I can preach a gospel that's not offensive.

I want to do what Jesus didn’t accomplish. Or Paul. Or David. Or Moses. Or Daniel. Or Abraham. Or Esther. Or every spiritual great in the bible.

I want everyone to like me.

I’m an arrogant fool. Or an insecure fool.
Or both.

Lord, allow me to find my identity in you. I want to please you not men. Help me view offenses as an opportunity to gain more of you Jesus. Allow me to grow up. Help me keep my eyes on you.

Be honest, on a scale of 1-10, how much do you hate being hated, criticized or disliked? (i.e raise your hand if you're a people pleaser).

Also, how do you handle or respond to criticisms and being disliked? 

*A repost from the archives.