First of all, being loud does not make one right. In fact, the one who is the loudest is probably the most guilty of what they are pointing at others about or they are setting up a situation in which no one will question them for fear of coming under attack themselves.
The same principle goes for being the meanest and nastiest towards people - it does not make one right, either. Others will join the attacker, also known as an adult bully, so they feel protected from the onslaught. In reality, though, they may be the next in line for attack.
I question those who are loud and mean who hide behind a cause. Are they truly looking to help the alleged injured party or are they out to smear those they attack while seeking their own 15 minutes of fame?
Secondly, as in rumors, just because it is said does not make it true. Rumors are like the men in the alleys with their trench coats hissing you into their direction. They may have the R-O- and the E-X of the brand’s name - a beginning and an ending, but what they are selling lacks the crucial, valid part, the substance, to make what they are selling the real thing; which reminds me of two stories I’ve heard.
The first story has to do with rumors. If we take a feather pillow and release the feathers into the wind, then that is what spreading rumors is like. If we attempt to get gather them all, for whatever reason, we will find that we can never retrieve all the feathers.
Neither can we ever undo all the damage our words have done. The second story tells of a young man who had an anger issue. The father told his son to put a nail into a board each time he lost his temper. As the son began to see how many nails he had in the board, he began to feel sorrow. The father told the boy for each day he went without anger to remove a nail.
The boy finally emptied the board but felt even more sorrow. He may have “gained” in his ability to keep his temper, but he saw the scars left by his actions. Our actions have consequences. Some consequences we can never make amends.
Another thing I know is that getting older does not make one wiser - it just makes them older unless they make an effort to learn something along the way.
Finally, to quote an old rock band, “Every rose has its thorn.” Nothing in life is free from struggle in some form or fashion. It is up to each of us to determine which rose we keep and which we let go.
“Jesus was taken before the high court. The people wanted Him to be executed. The high court, Herod, and Pilate found no fault with Him. Why, what evil has He done? I have found no reason for death in Him. I will therefore chastise Him and let Him go. But they were insistent, demanding with loud voices that He be crucified.” (Luke 23:22-23)
Lift up those who face such trials. Of course, they are in good company.