Belittling

A pet peeve is an annoyance, infers complaining or results in an irritating experience caused by someone else’ actions, habits or mannerisms.  To belittle means to deride, disparage or put down another person in order to make your point or to build up your own self esteem.  Since a series of demeaning events led to infuriation within me last week, I have added belittling to my personal list of pet peeves.

One of Jesus’ pet peeves while on earth was also belittling.  Let’s just say that Jesus didn’t take too kindly to seeing adults belittle others, especially children.  In Matthew 19:13-15, Jesus even corrected his own disciples for their lack of concern for the human psyche of young people.  Meanwhile, Jesus didn’t hold back his true feelings, publicly exposing the legalism of the Pharisees in Luke 6:1-11 by healing and helping others on the Sabbath.

When I taught high school, students complained to me from time to time, upset how other teachers had treated them earlier in the day or week.  At the time, I could not relate, see or understand their point of view.  However, now that I too am undergoing what they went through as a student in a new position, I see the light.  I recognize now that no one, teachers included like to be belittled by another individual.  Therefore, I refuse to sit back, allowing others to be talked down to.  I won’t turn over the tables like Jesus in Mark 11:12-17, but I will rebuke and reveal to these people how you should talk to others, Matthew 19:14.  Follow the golden rule and things will go well for you, Matthew 22:39.

by Jay Mankus