Shake Them Haters Off!

Family, 

I’m sure many of us have heard the term “shake them haters off” floating around on social media and in conversation. Truth be told that’s exactly what happens when you are in the midst of those who are waiting for something to happen and usually not something good. Now, I believe if it’s happening now, it’s happened before and someone wrote it down.  Check out this astounding truth in the bible about the Apostle Paul, who became shipwrecked on the island called Malta with some locals who decided to show unusual kindness. Acts 28: 1-5 -Now when they had escaped, they then found out that the island was called Malta. 2 And the natives[a] showed us unusual kindness; for they kindled a fire and made us all welcome, because of the rain that was falling and because of the cold. 3 But when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and laid them on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat, and fastened on his hand. 4 So when the natives saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said to one another, “No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he has escaped the sea, yet justice does not allow to live.” 5 But he shook off the creature into the fire and suffered no harm. 

Here we read that the locals showed unusual kindness to Paul, but after the viper fastened on Paul’s hand they quickly jumped to call him a murderer.  God allowed them to watch Paul shake the viper off and suffer no harm.  Looking back at Paul’s experience it reminds me of moments when my life was in a storm and those who were kind to me, were all of sudden calling me all sorts of names.Does this sound familiar? Listen family, if that has been you take Paul’s advice and “shake them haters off.” It will be in those moments that God will show you He is for you, and who could be against you. As disciples we all have an adversary. We don’t fight with flesh and blood. We must use wisdom and speculate who is among us and learn how to shake off the haters. Talk less when you are in the midst of those who are spectating vs. speculating. 

Definitions of both

Speculate: to meditate on or ponder a subject, reflect.

Spectate: one who looks on or watches 

In life, if we operate with this understanding we will no longer be overly self conscious constantly wondering  "what to do" and "what not to do".  We will be like a skilled farmer not spectating but speculating, as they already know if they are not faithful over their crop, it won't produce but the farmer loves to see the crops prosper healthily, being faithful over their work (see James 5:7-8).  

I encourage you to pray for wisdom and then pray for others, especially those who are against you. We all have choices to make and to allow a day to go by without searching for joy is truly a day wasted.

Be encouraged, and continue to lift one another up in prayer.

Love your sister in Christ Latoya