From Dealing with Bullies
To Being Set Free
You Never Look Good When You Make Others Look Bad!
‘Why am I being bullied?’ I have asked myself regarding a small group of people I cannot avoid.
You see, I am dealing with people who like to intimidate me. Or, perhaps they intimidate me because I’ve been too nice in the past. I also never quite know what to expect from them on a given day, and I don’t like conflict. I won’t mention specific circumstances. Many of you know already.
My point is not to assess blame, but to reflect on my reactions when I feel I have been mistreated.
“I don’t understand why this is happening,” I complain.
. “Because you let them,” a wise friend told me. “The things they are doing to you are against city regulations.”
She works for the Meridian Police Department and has been a wealth of information.
“Being nice doesn’t mean being passive,” my pastor tells me as I express my upset over the most recent injustice.
I have let others wield power over me, harass me, and take away my inner peace in the Lord. I am constantly in prayer over the matter. I ask for wisdom and the power of God’s Holy Spirit to enable me to live a life worthy of His calling. I’m also studying His word on the subject.
The verses that have helped me include:
1. Ephesians 4:16 reminds me: In your anger do not sin.
I know full well that the anger that separates me from trusting God is not good.
But is there a time for righteous anger?
2. Jesus entered the temple courts and drove out all who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves. It is written, He said to them, My house will be called a house of prayer, but you are making it a den of robbers. Matthew 21;12-13
Jesus called them out on their sin, but He most certainly has the right to do that.
3. Matthew 5:44 Jesus states, But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.
Oh, how I have prayed for those who have persecuted me. They do not understand their worth as a person made in the image of God. They find their worth in power and control. I consider their lot with sadness as they have no peace. They are not my enemy. I need to remember Satan is the cause of all evil in the world. They need Jesus.
4. Matthew 5:9 says, Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Peacemakers might be thought of as weak, conciliatory, or even compromisers. However, I don’t think God intended us to cower in fear over mistreatment.
5. There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. 1 John 4:18.
It has come to my mind that we should first be at peace with God and in His will. Only then do we have His Holy Spirit’s power to overcome fear.
In Conclusion:
I find hope in Romans 12:18 which states, If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, life at peace with everyone. When it is not, God may set you free.
I have stubbornly resisted the idea of making a major change in my life – just to remove myself from this situation of moving for several years now.
God spoke to Abram most clearly in this command: Leave your country, your relatives, and your father's family, and go to the land I will show you. I will make you a great nation, and I will bless you. I will make you a great nation, and you will be a blessing to others. Genesis 12:1-3
I like the idea of blessing others. I am taking steps to make this change. I need to live in a home where I can live in peace and lift up others. Every day, I am more confident this is the step for me to take. Even a recent devotional affirmed my choice in the book of Isaiah.
Forget the former things;
do not dwell on the past.
See, I am doing a new thing!
Now it springs up;
do you not perceive it?
I am making a way
In the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.
Isaiah 43:18-19