I was moments away from being this guy...

Haters, Harsh Words and Fools.

John Wylie —  September 13, 2012 — 10 Comments

It seems that my blog and Twitter has been getting quite a bit of hate lately.
Maybe it had been getting it before, too. But only recently have I noticed.

I was moments away from being this guy…

People getting angry at me for accidentally posting a similar Labor Day tweet, and a few other folks getting mad at me for content I post, or notes I write on Facebook.

All of this has really begun to show me how much self-control and patience I have: not much.

I come at these folks like a bat out of hell.
Either presenting my case and defending myself like mad,
or come at them from the total wrong heart.

Either way: damage is always done…and I am left feeling worse than I did after I read the hate.

I think this is a normal feeling after such a reaction, though.
I need to extend patience and love to these people…and a lot of times, that means keeping my stupid mouth shut.

I tweeted a verse the other day that slapped me right in the face as all of this was going on:

Even a fool who keeps silent is considered wise; when he closes his lips, he is deemed intelligent. – Proverbs 17:28

Yikes. Talk about a gut check.

So – all this being said, I am going to be working on keeping my lips closed.
Even a fool can do it. And I didn’t.

Shape me, mold me, Jesus.

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John Wylie

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John Wylie is the man behind the cartoon - a guy who enjoys drumming, hanging out with friends, and traveling. John is currently attending the SevenTen Discipleship Program with Ryan Dalgliesh in Texas - he plans to use this education to preach & teach all over the country (and hopefully, the world). John also feels very awkward typing in third person.
  • http://grazieadio.blogspot.com Melissa Tandoc

    I’ve noticed that something’s going on when I read your twitter posts lately. I couldn’t comment much because I don’t know where this comes from and what it’s all about.

    But I do pray for you John. I pray that the path you chose flood your soul with peace.

    ‘Let nothing disturb you,
    Let nothing frighten you,
    All things are passing away:
    God never changes.
    Patience obtains all things
    Whoever has God lacks nothing;
    God alone suffices.’

    – St. Teresa of Avila (http://www.ewtn.com/devotionals/prayers/stteresaofavila.htm)
    Melissa Tandoc recently posted..Day by DayMy Profile

    • http://www.ivoryjohn.com John Wylie

      thanks for the prayers :)

  • http://rodpitts.wordpress.com Rod Pitts

    Yo bro! Hatuh’s gonna hate! Let ‘em.

    It’s our nature to react that way. Like that verse says – just remain silent.

    Take the healthy criticism and work on it.

    All the others… just let them speak from their own folly. :)
    Rod Pitts recently posted..Tough Times: LonelinessMy Profile

    • http://www.ivoryjohn.com John Wylie

      thanks for the reminder :)

  • http://jonstolpe.com Jon Stolpe

    One of my favorite verses comes from the first chapter of James…
    Be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry. This is certainly sometimes easier said than done.
    Jon Stolpe recently posted..I Remember When…My Brother Said “Drop That Louie”My Profile

    • http://www.ivoryjohn.com John Wylie

      super hard to live by. but i’m working on it!

  • http://www.tot-mob.org Russ

    John, I honestly had a pretty crap childhood, and it gave me a rage that doesn’t compare to a “temper”.
    If something makes you mad, take 5 seconds, and think, Is this worth my anger? I mean really getting angry over?

    You’re writing a blog, if you just appealed to everyone, your blog would be crap. You’d be forgettable, and eventually no one would give a crap about what John Wylie had to say.

    Take the good with the bad, and get over it. There are much more important things in life.

    • http://www.ivoryjohn.com John Wylie

      thank you for being so open and vulnerable with this comment. and thank you for the awesome advice. I will take it!

  • http://glimpseintothesoul.blogspot.com Terry J. Stroud

    Everyone has an issue. Everyone has a thought. Everyone has an opinion.

    Actually, everyone thinks *YOU’RE* entitled to *THEIR* opinions. As a pastor, I’ve simply learned to have a thicker hide than normal, being able to filter through what people say. If it’s constructive (even criticism) then I’ll accept it. If it’s flat out arrogance, insults, or meaningless dissatisfaction then it’s nothing more than opinion without merit.

    For the longest time, I’d be upset if someone disagreed with me or were simply mean. Nowadays, I find solace in the fact that I do all I do for God and aim to please Him alone. If the world hates me, then I’m probably doing a really good job.

    As a final note: The people with the most ignorant of opinions are generally the people who don’t know you personally. You need to weigh out how significant they really are to you.

    Hopefully that helps in some way, or is at least encouraging to some extent. Please God, not others. Keep it up. :-)
    Terry J. Stroud recently posted..UnCrashedMy Profile

    • http://www.ivoryjohn.com John Wylie

      glad to be connected with you now! this comment is so full of wisdom and good advice. much love to you. thanks!