I really just hate Hillary Clinton so much. I don’t say that proudly, and I’m half sorry, half not sorry. I had a birthday recently, and I’m not very good about giving people gift suggestions. There was one thing I knew I wanted though. I asked my parents to buy me a “Hillary for Prison 2016” t-shirt, and they did, and I love it. In fact, a friend happened to see me wearing it three times in a row, and she asked me if I own any other shirts. I’m pretty obsessed with it. Since I started wearing it and basically flaunting it, I’ve come to a realization. I really do think that I hate Hillary Clinton more than I’ve ever hated anyone. I’ve clashed with a few people before, but I don’t tend to dislike many people. I can’t even think of anyone that I’ve truly hated before. Now, though, I have an unending hatred in my heart for this woman. I absolutely despise her. I really love to hate her, too. I quite enjoy poking fun at her, but the more time I spend hating her, the more I have this nagging feeling that I’m doing something wrong.

Some of my friends and I have a group chat that has recently become a long thread of Hillary-hating memes. I follow about twelve different conservative Instagram accounts, and I wear my new shirt in hopes that someone might see it and give me the stink eye. In fact, I actually met a Democrat in Bath and Body Works the other day while I was wearing my shirt. We had an interesting conversation, but the conversation started with him already mad at me. I don’t know about you, but I don't think that’s a very healthy impression to make on others. Either way, though, I could rant for hours about why she would be a terrible president, and I do believe that she is a liar and a terrible human being. That’s the thing though. As much as it pains me to say it, she’s a human being. She’s a sinner, just like I am, and just like you are. She’s not perfect, and she’s not supposed to be. I don’t like facing that reality, but it’s been bugging me ever since I started wearing that shirt.

Christians are called to love others with a Christ-like love. Christ died for sinners, and his death was worse than any death you can imagine. He experienced everything that we deserve for our sins, and we can’t even begin to imagine the pain he went through to save us. Not only are we sinners, we are full of hate and pride and filth. Sinful humans hate Christ way more than I will ever hate Hillary Clinton. We scorned Christ, and he still died to save us. He knew that we hated him, and he still loved us. I hate Hillary Clinton, but I really don’t have a reason. I don’t feel personally victimized by her. I’ve never talked to her. I didn’t even know much about her until about a year ago. Yes, she’s done some messed up things, but I have way more hate for her than she deserves. We deserve hell and the wrath of God, and He still managed to love us. How can we so easily forget that?

I probably won’t ever stop hating Hillary Clinton. I’m not sure yet if I want to stop hating her or not. I know I should want to, but I’m not quite there. I can’t really tell anyone else to give her a break before I do, I know. I do realize that I need to lighten up a bit, so I’m headed in the right direction. I could really preach the same sermon to those who hate Trump (side note: while I can’t stand Hillary, and I do plan to vote for Trump, I haven’t brought myself to openly support him just yet). I have very strong feelings about this election, and I know I’m not the only one who does. I don’t want to be a hypocrite, though, so please understand me when I say that I recognize my unnecessary level of hate for Hillary Clinton, but it will still be a process to learn to love her with a Christ-like love. Knowing I’m doing something wrong and correcting my behavior are two very different things. However, I encourage you to join me in re-evaluating our opinions of others who we may hate. Hate is sinful, and turning hate to love is not easy at all, but that doesn’t mean it’s impossible, and it’s no excuse to take the easy way out and keep hating.