Some of y’all are being triggered by the wrong things while turning a blind eye to the real issues. I am especially concerned about people who question my character because they aren’t ready to hear the things I have shared with regards to some of the political shenanigans that have been taking place. If you have that much of an issue with me and with what I believe to be true, then you don’t know me. I don’t speak out without having the facts. Much of what I’ve shared was initially difficult for me to digest as well, but more and more, the truth is coming out and when you finally choose to accept that your precious idols are actually evil to the core, it will likely take you a bit to accept just how deeply rooted their deception has been. But if you want to be on the right side of things, you’ll eventually come to terms with that.

I am trying to be patient with people, but in the past few weeks, I’ve been accused of being racist (which is laughable), having white privilege (which is also ridiculous), and being brainwashed (also, not a thing that would ever fit me). I don’t follow the crowd. I’m not a bandwagon participant. My opinions come from my having taken the time to look into things that sound wrong. I question things that don’t connect. I don’t immediately trust someone because of a label, and I don’t immediately distrust someone because of their packaging. I connect with people based on what I see in their spirit and how their actions connect to their words.

I’ve been so disappointed (although I know I shouldn’t be) in people who have professed so much hate with such a resounding voice of authority; people who perpetuate a hateful and divisive narrative based on language triggers that have been reinforced by a media and society that wants us to hate each other. The bottom line is you don’t ever have to guess what side I’m on. I am a believer in God and in His word alone. I act in accordance with what He tells me in my spirit. I don’t check the Republican or Democrat handbook to see how I should respond to a need that’s presented to me. I don’t check with lobbyists to see if it makes sense for me to speak out against things that go against my God. I don’t follow the “Woke” Spokesperson’s job description, nor do I respect those who do.

Quite simply, I believe in treating others as you would have them treat you. I believe in loving each and every individual that God created and understanding that everyone goes through periods of time when they have misdirected hate as the product of generational curses and misinformation from those whom they thought they could trust. I believe all of these things, and I also believe that it is our own responsibility to use discernment in what we allow to become part of our belief system. We are responsible for what happens when we choose not to research things that clearly go against what God’s word has told us is wrong. We are responsible for paying attention to what’s really going on and not just what the mainstream media wants to spoon-feed us each day. We are responsible for laying out information from all sides of an issue and studying the connections that are present and how those connections fit with what God wants us to do as His creation.

If your loyalty is first to your political party, your school, your skin color, your culture, your community, your church, or anything other than God Himself, then you have been compromised. God created you. No one else would have been able to do that. No one else is responsible for putting you together and bestowing upon you the gifts and talents that you have. God is the one who gave you the ability and free will to make decisions and His hope for you was that at the heart of those decisions would be your love for Him and for values that uplift Him. If those things don’t dictate your actions, then you’re operating out of a place of ego and self-preservation, not out of love or obedience to God. Sadly, there are many out there who believe that they are the godliest of the godly, yet they refuse to see the things that are happening right under their noses because the information comes from a source that they have historically not trusted or identified with.  These are the very people who, if they had lived in the days of Jesus, would have gladly pointed him out to the guards and sent Him to be crucified because He wasn’t preaching in accordance with what they had been told was right. He didn’t fit the mold; therefore, He couldn’t possibly be the Messiah. But they were wrong. And so are many of the people out there today who would rather hold onto flawed ideologies than face the truth of the evil that is running so rampant behind all of the smoke and mirrors that have been constructed to hide it.

Yes, it is much easier to accept what is placed in front of us without questioning whether or not we should accept it. Evil counts on our laziness in this area. But as Christ has shown us, easy is not always without its compromise. And what seems to be convenient acquiescence today will ultimately be the foundation of widespread misery tomorrow. Myself, you can love me or hate me, I really don’t care if you agree with me. I will still adhere to my principles. I will still follow my God. I will still stand up for what is right, especially when it isn’t popular. And if you aren’t a fan of how I get my point across, then you are free to ignore me. That’s your right. But it doesn’t take away my right to say what’s on my mind in the manner that I wish to say it.

Rebecca Benston is the owner of Higher Ground Books & Media and the author of over twenty titles currently available through Amazon and other outlets. Her books include a mystery series (The Rona Shively Stories), empowerment resources such as Wise Up to Rise Up, Don’t Be Stupid (And I Mean That in the Nicest Way), and From Judgment to Jubilee, children’s books including Grumble D. Grumble Learns to Smile, All the Scary Things, and See How Strong You Are. Benston lives in Springfield, Ohio with her awesome daughter, Mya and enjoys traveling, reading, writing, and telling it like it is. She enjoys being able to help other authors get their stories out there through Higher Ground and has recently expanded her freelance services to offer more extensive guidance as a writing coach and social media manager. For more information, you can contact Benston at highergroundbooksandmedia@gmail.com.

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