Romans 12:20-21
Our Scriptures tell us that if you see your enemy hungry, go buy that person lunch, or if he’s thirsty, get him a drink. Your generosity will surprise him with goodness. Don’t let evil get the best of you; get the best of evil by doing good.
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
Forty-something years ago, when I was in junior high and high school, we didn’t talk about bullies as much as people do today…but I had one. And it turns out that this person bullied a lot of my friends, also. Maybe it was just as bad for them as it was for me, but I felt like I was one of her favorite targets. I didn’t say much about it to my mom, so she probably had no clue just how miserable it was for me at times. When I did mention something, she would remind me to be kind to others and say things like, “People only tease you because they like you.” Today, we all know better about many instances of bullying. We’ve all read and heard the stories of children who were taunted and badgered horrifically…often with tragic consequences. Thankfully, my situation – and that of my friends – was never this severe, and we all appear to have survived our teenage years fairly unscathed.
As adults, most of my friends and I have been incredibly blessed. But the person who bullied us has not fared as well. Her life has had a series of ups and downs…and included some pretty significant struggles. When I learned of one instance, I sent word to her that I was praying for her… that I was sorry for her troubles and hoped things improved quickly. A few months later, I saw her in person, and she was incredibly kind and complimentary.
I will admit… there was a part of me that wanted to scream, “Do you know how you tormented me when we were growing up? Do you know how miserable you made life for me and many of my friends on an almost-daily basis?” (There was also a part that wanted to thumb my nose and say, “Nyah, nyah, nyah-nyah, nyah!” But something told me that either: 1) she doesn’t have a clue what she did; or 2) she knows full well how badly she treated us, and she is incredibly remorseful. I went with option #2.
In our brief encounter that day, it seemed as if this woman was almost relieved – even grateful – that I did not bring up the past. I got a real sense that she may have expected me to either snub her as she approached me - and refuse to speak to her - or to rebuke her vehemently for what she had done. I could almost feel the appreciativeness in her voice and demeanor when I did neither.
In the end, we both came away with a positive impression. Another school friend once said to me, “I guess it must be satisfying in some way to know that her life didn’t turn out all that well.” I told her that nothing could be farther from the truth. We are not supposed to delight in revenge or another person’s misfortune, regardless of what they might have done or whether we feel they “got what they had coming.” I could have even excused this person by saying, “You treated me so terribly when we were growing up…and I have forgiven you for every bit of that.” But I didn’t have to say anything…my actions and my lack of retaliation spoke volumes. I don’t know if she felt better afterward…but I surely did!
Throughout the Bible, there are verses that support the adage that we are to “Kill ‘em with kindness.” Every single one of us will be insulted, mistreated in some way, knocked down or betrayed. Hateful words will fly…unkind actions and injustices will be inflicted upon us. And the Bible is very clear that we are to continue to treat others with compassion and generosity.
Regardless of how much or how little you have…whether your life has been a “bed of roses” or littered with “thorns”, share love and compassion with others. Operate out of the blessings and abundance of God’s grace and mercy in your own life. Income and status do not determine needs of the heart. Give freely to all who are in need, and “kill ‘em with kindness”. Never operate in evil or retaliation. Surprise others with goodness…and you might just surprise yourself in the process!
©2014 Debbie Robus
Showing posts with label bullies. Show all posts
Showing posts with label bullies. Show all posts
Daily Devotional for November 8, 2012
Matthew 10:28-31
“Don’t be bluffed into silence by the threats of bullies. There’s nothing they can do to your soul, your core being. Save your fear for God, who holds your entire life—body and soul—in his hands.
“What’s the price of a pet canary? Some loose change, right? And God cares what happens to it even more than you do. He pays even greater attention to you, down to the last detail—even numbering the hairs on your head! So don’t be intimidated by all this bully talk. You’re worth more than a million canaries.
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
Today, my husband and I took Timothy and his little sister, Zola, to the park to play and enjoy a picnic lunch. This had to be one of the most perfect days we have had all year… maybe in more than a year. The air was crisp and cool… the sun was shining brightly over a local park adjacent to the beautiful blue water of a lake that hugs the northern edge of our community, and the leaves were brilliant hues of red, yellow, orange, and green.
I sat on a bench as we ate and looked at the children’s hair in the sunlight. Timmy’s is blond, a little course, and stands up along a couple of “cow licks” that give him wispy stick-straight spikes. Zola’s is almost black, soft, fine and pours over her head in a mound of unruly curls. To think that God knows exactly how many hairs number not only the heads of these children… but yours, mine, and everyone else’s as well… boggles my mind.
These children are marvels to me. I watch them play and see how quickly they are growing and what amazing things they are learning, and I am in awe. I cannot imagine that anyone could spend time in the presence of small children at play and not believe in God! How could you look at the innocent wonder of a toddler and not see Him at work? And how could you imagine that these incredible tiny creatures don’t simply melt God’s heart each and every day? I am convinced that God has a legion of angels just to care for small children… and that He cares about every detail of their little lives.
Timmy is very concerned that I will outgrow him… or that he will outgrow me! He asks me nearly every time I see him, “Am I still your baby?” I assure him that he is…that he will always be my baby! Surely the God who numbers the hair on our heads and holds sway over the bodies and souls of little children cares immensely for each of us. Remember, we were all once small children… and in God’s eyes, we are all still His babies! I don’t know about you, but I am deeply moved by this.
To think that God always has my back… that I am incredibly valuable to Him, and that He will protect me from all “bullies”… frees me to love Him more deeply and to follow Him more completely. All I have to do is love God and serve Him wholeheartedly. He will handle any naysayers or “bullies” who try to stop me or do me harm. Isn’t this amazing? Doesn’t this give you confidence and courage beyond anything you could ever muster on your own?
The children slid down the slide with abandon today. They giggled with glee in the swings…confident that we would protect them and keep them from harm… free to enjoy the wind in their hair and the sunshine on their face. Is your relationship with God this unencumbered? Do you feel this protected by God? Do you feel His presence…His constant love and care? Are you free to worship Him and serve Him without concern for what others may say or think?
Stop and take some time to sit in God’s presence. Enjoy the beauty of the fall color or even the peace and quiet of a secluded space in your home or office. Listen for God’s voice and hear Him say, “You’re still my baby.” Then go about your day with added confidence, peace and joy…knowing how incredibly loved and protected you are. Boldly proclaim the Good News of Jesus, confident that God has your back… now, and always.
©2012 Debbie Robus
“Don’t be bluffed into silence by the threats of bullies. There’s nothing they can do to your soul, your core being. Save your fear for God, who holds your entire life—body and soul—in his hands.
“What’s the price of a pet canary? Some loose change, right? And God cares what happens to it even more than you do. He pays even greater attention to you, down to the last detail—even numbering the hairs on your head! So don’t be intimidated by all this bully talk. You’re worth more than a million canaries.
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
Today, my husband and I took Timothy and his little sister, Zola, to the park to play and enjoy a picnic lunch. This had to be one of the most perfect days we have had all year… maybe in more than a year. The air was crisp and cool… the sun was shining brightly over a local park adjacent to the beautiful blue water of a lake that hugs the northern edge of our community, and the leaves were brilliant hues of red, yellow, orange, and green.
I sat on a bench as we ate and looked at the children’s hair in the sunlight. Timmy’s is blond, a little course, and stands up along a couple of “cow licks” that give him wispy stick-straight spikes. Zola’s is almost black, soft, fine and pours over her head in a mound of unruly curls. To think that God knows exactly how many hairs number not only the heads of these children… but yours, mine, and everyone else’s as well… boggles my mind.
These children are marvels to me. I watch them play and see how quickly they are growing and what amazing things they are learning, and I am in awe. I cannot imagine that anyone could spend time in the presence of small children at play and not believe in God! How could you look at the innocent wonder of a toddler and not see Him at work? And how could you imagine that these incredible tiny creatures don’t simply melt God’s heart each and every day? I am convinced that God has a legion of angels just to care for small children… and that He cares about every detail of their little lives.
Timmy is very concerned that I will outgrow him… or that he will outgrow me! He asks me nearly every time I see him, “Am I still your baby?” I assure him that he is…that he will always be my baby! Surely the God who numbers the hair on our heads and holds sway over the bodies and souls of little children cares immensely for each of us. Remember, we were all once small children… and in God’s eyes, we are all still His babies! I don’t know about you, but I am deeply moved by this.
To think that God always has my back… that I am incredibly valuable to Him, and that He will protect me from all “bullies”… frees me to love Him more deeply and to follow Him more completely. All I have to do is love God and serve Him wholeheartedly. He will handle any naysayers or “bullies” who try to stop me or do me harm. Isn’t this amazing? Doesn’t this give you confidence and courage beyond anything you could ever muster on your own?
The children slid down the slide with abandon today. They giggled with glee in the swings…confident that we would protect them and keep them from harm… free to enjoy the wind in their hair and the sunshine on their face. Is your relationship with God this unencumbered? Do you feel this protected by God? Do you feel His presence…His constant love and care? Are you free to worship Him and serve Him without concern for what others may say or think?
Stop and take some time to sit in God’s presence. Enjoy the beauty of the fall color or even the peace and quiet of a secluded space in your home or office. Listen for God’s voice and hear Him say, “You’re still my baby.” Then go about your day with added confidence, peace and joy…knowing how incredibly loved and protected you are. Boldly proclaim the Good News of Jesus, confident that God has your back… now, and always.
©2012 Debbie Robus
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