"Mean"

Is there a secret reason,

Some people are so mean,

I wish I understood it,

Guess I am not that keen.

Some say it’s cause they’re wounded,

Been hurt so bad before,

That they are just so angry,

Can’t control their roar.

But then I know some people,

Whose life has crushed them down,

And they are just as cheerful,

As anyone around.

I’ve heard it’s ‘cause their culture,

Has cheated them of rights,

So they can do their violence,

Rampage, steal and fight.

When some people see it,

They say it’s not a sin,

They have their excuses,

They lost their rights back when.

But I know other people,

Who never asked for aid,

But worked and scrapped and prospered,

And never were afraid,

To get up and get with it,

They didn’t think of rights,

Just overcame their problems,

Working days and nights.

Guess if you want a reason,

To excuse the fact you’re mean,

There is no doubt you’ll find it,

And stand with those who lean,

Toward giving you permission,

And you’re entitled to,

All the meanness that you feel,

And what you want to do.

But me, I have two answers,

And one is just the best,

And that is go to Jesus,

And ask Him like the rest,

To take control and heal you,

Do what He died to do,

Only He can cure you,

And let His grace flow through.

And if you won’t admit it,

And lay your meanness down,

Persist in hurting others,

And come into our town,

I pray the other answer,

Will stop your meanness cold,

The Law will be the reason,

It cannot here unfold.

O Lord, we pray you’ll save us,

From people who are mean,

Please, Lord, touch and heal them,

With Your blood make them clean.

“Pray, too, that we will be rescued from wicked and evil people…” (2 Thess. 3:2, NLT)

Some people just aren’t safe. I know we’re called to love everyone and if possible, point them to God. But some are so consumed with their dysfunction that they can do great harm to us if we give them access. What are we to do about this? Love them? Yes. Forgive them? Absolutely. But continue to put up with and open the door to the chaos and hurt they cause? No way. We have to find the boundaries that the Lord will give us to keep ourselves in His will. We are called to go the extra mile but not be doormats. This is not always easy to discern, when we’ve been taught to humbly accept everything that happens. But that is not the pattern of Jesus. He was not afraid to be confrontational if it was necessary, and even turn over a table or two. Submitting to mean people in the name of evangelism or love becomes a codependent relationship in which we are constantly trying to help someone who doesn’t even think they need helping. Think about it, and take a step back.

Lord, deliver us from mean people, while showing us the ones we can really help, in Jesus’ name.

Art by JaNeil Anderson, janeilanderson.com. Used by permission. Thanks, JaNeil, and God bless you.