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I never understood the point of having a negative outlook toward others. Tearing down someone else’s art or accomplishments seems misguided at best, and self-defeating at worst. The funny thing is, I even see this in Christians, who are supposed to be the salt of the Earth.

Salt seasons things in this world and doesn’t offer bland flavor. To tear apart someone’s artistic ability doesn’t befit a saint. And I’m not limiting it to art, either, as rulers of this world are also targeted by people without genuine reasons.

There are actual dictators, and then there’s your opinion. One is truly wrong; the other is a misguided understanding.

There is the war on woke, which rightly criticizes checking off boxes or intentionally making characters ugly (which is why the next Fable fixed their debacle). But if something doesn’t succeed, that is the prerogative domain of God alone. He is the one who exalts and abases, so let it stay in His hands.

I was listening to music earlier and noticed some comments detracting from someone’s ability, saying they’ll only ever be “this-level” of a singer.

This line of thinking makes no sense to me. Even if it were true (which, based on their success, seems odd to even put forth), art is a process of steps. Your first song likely won’t be on the same level as something someone with many years in the industry would put out.

In my own craft, Stephen King’s first drafts likely read like my tenth drafts. There is a certain amount of skill that comes with experience. Maybe at the start, you’ll write a million words of drivel, and with time, release something for the ages.

There are outliers, too, of course, who write an amazing first novel, but those instances are quite rare.

An artist need not tear down another’s art, seeing as their time might be better spent creating their own art for someone to interact with.

You might look at it as the common scenario of internet culture. Let me shift gears for a second.

Random X Poster: “I hate President Trump! He is bad at his job. This war is so bad.”

While you can have your opinion, the fact remains he is in charge of the most powerful country on Earth, and you tweeted about it. To have that station on this Earth is granted by God alone, and he doesn’t care what you think. He’ll decide on the choices he feels are best for the people. He’s dealing with illegitimate terrorists who should not have access to nuclear weapons, and the common person might not have the acumen to do the same if they were in his role. It takes someone willing to deal with criticism on a mass scale to do that job.

You can have your opinions on such subjects, and I’m not trying to sway, just making a point.

It’s easy to criticize others and not see the light of God within them. But you don’t see the years spent learning an instrument, training your body, trashed drafts, missed baseballs, etc.

You don’t see the intel that might lead a government to take certain actions.

The Bible often says we should be slow to speak, and that a man of few words is to be commended over fools who are known for their many words.

If you genuinely don’t have the taste for someone’s art or station, that’s fine.

But learn to see things with a bit of nuance and respect, too, since creative works, like government offices, take a lot out of a person.

If we’d spend more time seeing our own potential instead of tearing others down for theirs (or their success), we’d be far better off in imaging Jesus Christ.

Have you tried being positive for a moment instead of dwelling on negativity?

Something might truly be horrendous, or someone might be awful at their occupation.

But then the question must be asked: How can I help this person grow into something befitting who they are?

If I don’t like who runs my country, shouldn’t I vote for who I think will do a fine job and do my part that way?

Think in positive terms.

“This artist is still growing. I can’t wait to see what they do with album #3.”

“Running a country is difficult. How can I see things from their perspective?”

“Instead of hating on someone else, shouldn’t I be making something for the world, too?”

Instead of lashon hara (the evil tongue), guard the tongue and speak life.

Blessings and shalom!