Wow, this is a good one!
I am certain there are lots of people who do dislike and yes, even hate me!
Last year for a season, my inbox would be filled with hate mail before every speaking engagement I had, because it was felt that as a woman, I should not be speaking on a pulpit.
This, of course, disturbed me greatly. I took time to do my own research but in that meantime, the hate mail continued to flood in.
I was very disturbed, even a bit traumatized, because it was such a direct attack on my identity as a woman and my gifting as a speaker which I felt was what God had asked me to steward
At first, I was angry.
I felt that if anyone had an issue with me but didn’t have the courage to confront me in love gently, but hid behind a screen to attack me, then it must be unjust.
But as I healed, I grew to have compassion for these anonymous attackers. Because often, their hate is an outcome of their projection, past hurts or traumas.
It also gave me the opportunity for self-reflection, research on my values and beliefs and room for humility.
So in short, I think putting ourselves in their shoes and developing empathy and compassion for our haters can strangely, be good for our soul.
It heals, instead of embitters us.