31 Jan 2012 1 Comment
Free from the Stronghold of Bullying
We all hear about atrocities that are occurring in our school systems, society, and social gatherings in the US. Every time we encounter hate, rage, harassment, violence, irrational coercion, or verbal abuse repeatedly we can be sure that bullying is most likely at its core.
Definition: Bullying is an act of repeated aggressive behavior in order to intentionally hurt another person, physically or mentally. An individual behaving in a certain way to gain power over another person.
A host of bullying may or may not have been abused as a child. But there is a good chance that somehow the host learned to get his or her way by force or coercion at an early age. For example, a bully host whether male or female will even threaten a parent.
The bully host will insist on compliance or else–with the intent to cause physical harm, verbal harm, refusal to comply to parental guidance, division, chaos or much more in the life of the target. In this case, a parent. If left unaddressed, a bully may carry a stronghold of bullying to school and continue on through adulthood. Essentially in every area of life.
The values that a host of a stronghold of bullying assumed, or was taught, are not of God and certainly not what Jesus Christ taught us in his Word.
Bullying has stalked our nations for generations. It demands a right to power and will do whatever it can to grab that power. Fascism, socialism, Islamic government, communism, and other forms of government may have some aspects of bullying in its governing in order to hold its power. If bullying is a stronghold in its leaders, these governing powers may even deny its citizens a right to object or to vote.
5 Biblical tips to overcome bullying:
1. Be self-aware. Are you coercing? Are you gossiping? Are you using threats to get your way? There is no love in threatening. Instead point out consequences of wrong choices. If you are irrational or selfish in getting your way, more than likely you are a bully.
Proverbs 3:30-32 Don’t walk around with a chip on your shoulder, always spoiling for a fight. Don’t try to be like those who shoulder their way through life. Why be a bully? “Why not?” you say. Because God can’t stand twisted souls. It’s the straightforward who get his respect.
Proverbs 22:8 Whoever sows sin reaps weeds, and bullying anger sputters into nothing.
2. If you are the host of bullying, stop. Repent and learn the way of Christ.
1 John 2:9 Whoever says he is in the Light and [yet] hates his brother [Christian, born-again child of God his Father] is in darkness even until now.
Romans 12:18 If possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.
3. If you are being bullied, seek help. Is there someone who can defend you, or advise you according to God’s will?
Titus 1:7 This is because supervisors should be without fault as God’s managers: they shouldn’t be stubborn, irritable, addicted to alcohol, a bully, or greedy.
Proverbs 22:10 Drive out the scoffer, and contention will go out; yes, strife and abuse will cease.
4. Pray, choose, and vote wisely. Whenever possible, if you have been bullied by a friend or family member, keep a distance or get help. If you have been bullied by a boss, change employment or seek help. If there is an area you frequent where you are bullied, avoid that area. Vote according to God’s will. Get to know the consequences of your choices and what you can do to avoid being bullied now and in the future.
Isaiah 3:12 “Skinny kids terrorize my people. Silly girls bully them around. My dear people! Your leaders are taking you down a blind alley. They’re sending you off on a wild-goose chase.”
Psalm 73:6-10 Pretentious with arrogance, they wear the latest fashions in violence, Pampered and overfed, decked out in silk bows of silliness. They jeer, using words to kill; they bully their way with words. They’re full of hot air, loudmouths disturbing the peace. People actually listen to them—can you believe it? Like thirsty puppies, they lap up their words.
5. Be patient. Positive change doesn’t happen overnight. It takes time, wisdom, and commitment to deal with bullying of any sort.
Romans 12:12 Rejoice and exult in hope; be steadfast and patient in suffering and tribulation; be constant in prayer.
Galatians 6:9 And let us not lose heart and grow weary and faint in acting nobly and doing right, for in due time and at the appointed season we shall reap, if we do not loosen and relax our courage and faint.
Written by Christian author, Pola Muzyka.
Related articles
- What I don’t Like about Bullies… (supersam247.wordpress.com)
- TheGrio’s 100: LaNiyah Bailey, taking a stand with a children’s book about bullying (thegrio.com)
- Free to be Humble (strongholdsmashers.com)
- Free from the Stronghold of Divorce (polamuzyka.wordpress.com)
Year 2012 Writer’s Notes by Pola — Day 31 » polamuzyka.com
Jan 31, 2012 @ 13:16:14
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