As I grab a glass of hot water to warm me up this morning, I settle down to read the daily newspaper. Last week was gone, it was both good and bad. But before I go further, the disparaging remarks of politicians, not only, politicians but sometimes the writer’s words seem inappropriate to me.
Daily paper has become more toxic; without this toxicity, the news loses its appeal. It was different from my university days when I could keep munching the news found on the printed paper without its disparaging effects.
Yes, about last week, I went to the ER due to a condition which if it gets worse may not be good for me. There I was told to endure the pain if it came back, the test was fine. So, I was good. However, fever and shivering caught me up unguarded when I reached home.
It made me spend the entire week with caution; lots of fluid intake and little blood work. All is well it seems as if I’m in the process of recovering now. I don’t know what push me to write this piece as I should still be taking a rest. By the way, doing something is better than taking a rest for now – I’m able! I have been there when you were unable to move or think of anything that transform into sentences. It’s a good day today!
Coming back to where I started, disparaging remarks sometimes benefitted the other. In some professions, it seems to be the regular building block for framing others as useless in public face. I only intended to go till the remarks, but not the character assassination and worst of all the disparaging acts could get.
It is not strange in the modern world of freedom to be opinionated unless one gets incarcerated for not favoring the ruling class. However, derogatory remarks of any kind come to hit us back anytime anywhere with a higher voltage than expected.
Then, as a person of good faith where do we stand in this world now? It’s easy to jump into the pool of disparaging remarks than to remain aloof from the scoffers of today. I know, we’re all interested in the ongoing conflicts somewhere and we’re patriotic. However, we should guard our tongues.
Self-disparaging Thought:
Sometimes I belittle myself or depreciate my value before no one did. I compare what I did with those of others. It’s easy to pass a conclusion if we want to put ourselves down. When the devil works in you, you’ll feel low, unsuccessful, unappreciated, and non-cooperated in almost every step you take.
The small steps you’ve taken did not lift you off the muddy pit yet. When it’s very hard to find a way because you can’t grab the rope thrown at you. And, it’s more like the chances may not come back soon. These disparaging self-remarks hurt more than you can imagine. But that’s not the end.
Who knows we are sent to be the first-hand experiences of the situation so that we may help others in such times. Many times, I believe that God has sent us here to be a remnant – to keep alive many survivors. So, it was not our fault nor others to be here, but the Lord’s provision. Gen 45:5-8
The Disparagers:
In other words, the scoffers or mockers are all around us. We should not be one of them. Rebellion or revolt is always a part of humankind. It is the most successful tool used by the evil one since the Eden garden incident, which marked the fall of mankind.
In Numbers Chapter 16, Korah, Dathan, and Abiram rose up against Moses. They disparage the authority given to the leadership appointed by God. Long story short, they were swallowed by the earth.
Now, when Jesus comes into the world he is scoffed at, mocked, and slain by his own man. It is for salvation to be open for all.
In the end, we are not to disparage anyone, but to also suffer silently if people scoffed or mocked at us for not being up to the human standard. It is better to suffer the pain and shame than to give up.
Refrain from disparaging remarks:
While disparaging remarks at the right time serve good, it is better to refrain from passing such remarks. Our liberty gives us full hand in the societal norms as well as in the community of believers. However, we must use our tongues more for encouraging than disparaging others.
Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing. 1 Thess. 5:11 You will find many such verses in the Bible to continue to encourage and lift up fellow followers of Jesus Christ. It is especially for the community, but we must also guard our tong so that we do not halt a soul thirsting for the living water at their behest.
We did not know everything; when a person comes up with something so small and useless in our eyes or perception can also be someone trying to take a positive step out of nothing which is in order anymore. Thus the only thing we can do is not pass disparaging remarks to others.
