Day 2: Horse Manure & Internet Trolls
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I had my first hater this week — someone came after the podcast online.
An internet troll latched onto something I said and just went to town. He called me a fraud, a creep, said I was leading people astray. He mocked God, mocked the church, and basically mocked everything I’ve been working hard to build.
Now, I know we’re supposed to love people… but in that moment? I wanted to retaliate. I wanted to slander his character.
What I really wanted to do was send horse manure to his house.
But after I cooled down and spent some time praying, I gained a bit of perspective.
Even if there are people who don’t like me, Jesus still looks at me and calls me brother.
He validates my existence and loves me unconditionally.
Let the love of God be more important to you than the hate of people.
Let’s Talk
This week, I got my first proper hater against my podcast — a full-blown internet troll.
He called me a fraud. A creep. Said I was leading people astray.
He didn’t just come after me — he came after my faith, my work, my calling. Everything I’ve poured my life into.
And I’ll be honest… I didn’t exactly respond like Jesus in that moment.
I didn’t want to pray for him. I wanted to punch him in his stupid face!
But eventually, I took a breath. I prayed. I let the boiling blood settle.
And I remembered that his words don’t get the final say over my life.
They might annoy me for a while. They might hit nerves I didn’t know were exposed.
But they don’t define me.
Only one voice does. And that voice is stronger than shame, more true than the critics, and closer than I often realise.
Jesus looks at me — and at you — and says:
Brother. Daughter. Chosen. Mine.
The noise is real. But His voice is the one that restores you in the noise.
When you let God's opinion carry more weight than the haters, the pressure inside you gets lighter.
Not because it always stops hurting… but because you stop letting it define you. Think about it practically…. Some wormy little troll in the basement of his Mums house in backwater Iowa calls you an idiot, but the creator of all things calls you loved. One of those beings is wrong- and its definitely not God.
Scripture
“Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? … If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.” — Galatians 1:10 (NIV)
This verse cuts through the noise. Paul is addressing a group of believers who are being swayed by outside voices — critics, religious pressure, and false narratives. And here, he draws a line in the sand: you can’t live for the crowd and for Christ at the same time.
Dr. N.T. Wright explains that Paul’s tone in Galatians is so intense because “he knows what’s at stake — the freedom of the gospel and the identity of the believer.” To Paul, the gospel wasn’t just theological. It was deeply personal. Being a servant of Christ meant being anchored in God’s voice, not anyone else's approval.
When external criticism stings — especially about your calling, your faith, or your integrity — this verse is a lifeline. You don’t need to earn validation from voices that don’t know your story. The One who formed you has already called you His.
Mental Health Moment
External criticism can trigger deep wounds and sent us off the deep end — especially if you're already fighting internal voices of insecurity, rejection, or fear.
But healing comes when you anchor your identity in something unshakeable. And nothing is more unshakeable than the love of God.
Don’t let people who don’t know your heart speak louder than the One who created it.
Practice for Today
Take 5 minutes and write down three things God says about you.
If you’re not sure, start here:
Loved. Forgiven. Chosen.
Then write this somewhere you’ll see it:
“God’s opinion matters more than theirs — even mine.”
A Prayer for the Misunderstood
Jesus,
You know how loud the world can be — how easy it is to feel attacked.
Help me hear Your voice above the noise.
Speak truth where lies have taken hold of my mind.
And help me believe what You say about me, even when it’s hard.
Amen.
Reflection Prompt
Whose voice has been too loud in your life lately?
What would it look like to turn down the noise — and turn up the voice of God?
