Girls love cats, guys say they love cats but when girls aren't looking guys are kicking cats

Confession: I’ve been daydreaming about ways to harm a stray cat on my street. I’m sure there are a million ways to accomplish this but the tricky part is doing it without compromising my Christian witness. How do I remain a ‘legit’ pastor and rid myself of this menace?

Before u cast cyber stones at me, let me explain. First, I’m convinced cats weren’t a part of Gods ‘good’ creation but rather an unfortunate consequence of the fall. I think it says that somewhere in Leviticus. Ok, maybe not. I’m just scared of cats. And I don’t like them... especially when it uses my front lawn as its personal bathroom. So yes I sometimes accelerate towards the cat when driving down my street.

Alright fine, I’m bluffing. I just needed to vent. I’d never intentionally harm a cat, and by never I mean 99.999% of the time. Maybe online or maybe in my mind but never in real life. Although Jesus did say if you commit murder in your heart, you’re just as guilty. I guess I’m hoping that doesn’t extend to cats cause I’d have A LOT of repenting to do.

Okay, that was my last cat joke. I probably should have stopped at the title. Forgive me if you are a cat lover. Maybe I got scratched by a cat when I was a baby or maybe its just because cats look so darn evil. [Just look at the picture above. Not sure what the ‘cute’ kitten is telling you. But what I’m hearing is ‘i’m gonna crawl up your bed at night and get you].

I’m not sure what happened but for some crazy *yet obvious to me* reason, I just don’t like cats.
Just like I don’t like cold bitter winters.
And any kind of cheese.
And broccoli.
And annoying people.
And poison ivy.
And many other things God made that I don’t like but have to deal with.

What? you like how I subtly sandwiched ‘annoying people’ between broccoli and poison ivy?
Yea I’m fast like that. But I’m also wrong. We can’t treat people like we treat broccoli or cats.

I can’t tell u how many times I’ve heard people say “I know I have to love him but I don’t have to like him”.
Look, I get it. Sometimes its hard to get along with certain people. And sometimes people make a good case for not liking them. But I honestly don’t know how we could read the bible and ever come to an such a conclusion.

First of, that doesn’t make much sense. How do you truly love someone and not like them? I could be wrong so let me know if this is possible.

Either way the bible commands us to radically love people ESPECIALLY difficult people... annoying people... people we consider enemies.

Its hard, sure, but only when we forget how Christ loved us.
When we face his love for us, we have no room to justify not loving anyone.
Just read 1 John. But put on a head mask first cause John throws some pretty awesome jabs.

Anyways, here’s the moral of my story.
There’s room in Christianity to dislike cheese and broccoli but there’s no room to dislike ‘certain’ people.

Its what sets us apart from the rest of the world. Like Jesus said, what good is it if you love those who love you? We are commanded to love all. Period.

And yes, sometimes love has to say some tough and painful things. And sometimes loving people involves stern discipline and picking up a cane to chase off wolves. But even then it should all be motivated by love. Not a fake ‘I love u but don’t like you’ kind of love. A real genuine love for people. One that only the Holy Spirit can give. One that isn’t motivated by what we can get in return. One thats so fierce it could get us killed i.e Jesus. One that I don’t have but I’m praying that God stirs up in me.

Be honest, what kind of people are hard for you to love?

Also, any “holy” ways to rid myself of my cat problem or at least stop it from destroying my lawn?