Only Love Can Conquer Evil In An Evil World | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Student Life

Only Love Can Conquer Evil In An Evil World

If we continue to try and combat wickedness with malice acts, slowly we will forget what it is we are fighting for in the first place.

Stacey Booth
May 30, 2017
Illinois State University
203
Only Love Can Conquer Evil In An Evil World
Johnny Nguyen

It’s not hard to recognize the hate and evil that flood the world we live in. Turn on the news, read a newspaper, or flip on the radio. It won’t take long before you find yourself questioning humanity, or the lack thereof. Innocent people are being blown up at concerts. Guiltless teenagers are being shot because of their skin color. Murders are being committed because of religion. Pain, loss, tragedy, and evil are becoming the headlines of our daily lives.

I often feel as though I have no power to fight the hate this planet is facing. Such soul-wrenching destruction seems much too vast to get a grasp on. As much as I desperately wish I could, I can’t stop a terrorist from strapping a bomb to their chest and walking into a crowd. I can’t predict when someone will step into a room and begin shooting at innocent souls. I can’t eliminate all racism in this world and magically eradicate all prejudice. I don’t have the ability to control the hate in this world, but I do have the ability to control the hate in my life. Waking up and choosing to treat others with love, kindness, grace, and compassion is something that will continually be in our control.

It’s time to take a stand. It’s time to stop setting streets on fire to fight hate. It’s time to stop yelling, cursing, and demeaning one another to get our point across. If we continue to try and combat wickedness with malice acts, slowly we will forget what it is we are fighting for in the first place. We have a choice, and I urge you to choose love.

Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.
-Martin Luther King, Jr.

Wake up in the morning and love your family. Pray for the people who have hurt you. Be kind to the waiter even when they get your order wrong. When someone slaps you in the face, turn the other cheek. Serve without any expectation of receiving something in return. Smile at a stranger. Forgive someone you never thought you could. Let that person go ahead of you in the grocery line. Pay for the meal of the car behind you. We cannot change the world with hate, but we can change the lives around us with love. Fill others to the brim with love, kindness, grace, and compassion and watch as we choose to change the headlines from evil to hopeful.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Entertainment

Taylor Swift's Eras Tour is What I Hope Heaven Feels Like

By: James McDonald

21719
an image of taylor swift standing center stage surrounded by her backup dancers in elegant peacock esque outfits with a backdrop of clouds and a box rising above the stage the image captures the vibrant aesthetics and energy of her performance during the lover era of her eras tour
StableDiffusion

A three-and-a-half-hour runtime. Nine Eras. Eleven outfit changes. Three surprise songs. Zero breaks. One unforgettable evening. In the past century, no other performer has put on an electric performance quite like Taylor Swift, surpassing her fans ‘wildest dreams’. It is the reason supporters keep coming back to her shows each year. Days later, I’m still in awe of the spectacle ‘Miss Americana’ puts on every few days in a new city. And, like one of Taylor’s exes, has me smiling as I reminisce about the memories of the night we spent together.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Every Girl Needs To Listen To 'She Used To Be Mine' By Sara Bareilles

These powerful lyrics remind us how much good is inside each of us and that sometimes we are too blinded by our imperfections to see the other side of the coin, to see all of that good.

Miami University
82067
Every Girl Needs To Listen To 'She Used To Be Mine' By Sara Bareilles

The song was sent to me late in the middle of the night. I was still awake enough to plug in my headphones and listen to it immediately. I always did this when my best friend sent me songs, never wasting a moment. She had sent a message with this one too, telling me it reminded her so much of both of us and what we have each been through in the past couple of months.

Keep Reading...Show less
music
Entertainment

Why Your Astrological Sign May Not Match Your Personality

We are all more than just one sign.

SUNY Plattsburgh
23825
Zodiac wheel with signs and symbols surrounding a central sun against a starry sky.

What's your sign? It's one of the first questions some of us are asked when approached by someone in a bar, at a party or even when having lunch with some of our friends. Astrology, for centuries, has been one of the largest phenomenons out there. There's a reason why many magazines and newspapers have a horoscope page, and there's also a reason why almost every bookstore or library has a section dedicated completely to astrology. Many of us could just be curious about why some of us act differently than others and whom we will get along with best, and others may just want to see if their sign does, in fact, match their personality.

Keep Reading...Show less
astrology
Entertainment

20 Song Lyrics To Put A Spring Into Your Instagram Captions

"On an island in the sun, We'll be playing and having fun"

UNC Greensboro
9410
Person in front of neon musical instruments; glowing red and white lights.
Photo by Spencer Imbrock on Unsplash

Whenever I post a picture to Instagram, it takes me so long to come up with a caption. I want to be funny, clever, cute and direct all at the same time. It can be frustrating! So I just look for some online. I really like to find a song lyric that goes with my picture, I just feel like it gives the picture a certain vibe.

Here's a list of song lyrics that can go with any picture you want to post!

Keep Reading...Show less
spring
Relationships

The Importance Of Being A Good Person

An open letter to the good-hearted people.

Sacred Heart University
74403
Chalk drawing of scales weighing "good" and "bad" on a blackboard.
WP content

Being a good person does not depend on your religion or status in life, your race or skin color, political views or culture. It depends on how good you treat others.

We are all born to do something great. Whether that be to grow up and become a doctor and save the lives of thousands of people, run a marathon, win the Noble Peace Prize, or be the greatest mother or father for your own future children one day. Regardless, we are all born with a purpose. But in between birth and death lies a path that life paves for us; a path that we must fill with something that gives our lives meaning.

Keep Reading...Show less
good person

Trending Topics

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments