Many of us avoid confrontation
with a seasoned bully because we know we can’t win…and they are not going to
change. More often than not we ask the Lord what “we” should do under such circumstances.
I just discovered Nehemiah’s approach and I like it! Rather than taking matters
into his own hands to stop the ridicule that was inflicted on the Jews, he turned
to God, “Hear us, O our God, for we are despised. Turn their insults back on
their own heads. Give them over as plunder in a land of captivity. Do not cover up their guilt or blot out their sins from your sight,
for they have thrown insults in the face of the builders” (Ne 4:4-5 NIV).
1 comment:
Gail;
-----For a situation to be right, all of its elements must be right. Bullies prevent situations from being all they can be, and bullyhoods can completely ruin them. Bullyhoods are frightening, because people habitually accept ideas based on the popularity of their messengers and they apply them according to their own desires. Wily bullies know how to play other people’s desires as well as how to win their hearts and admiration. Examples abound of how prolific bullyhoods can be. Political correctness is a giant bullyhood. Ask Martha Stewart. She was browbeaten to the point of groveling before the whole country over a word she used decades earlier. She was smeared, tarred, feathered, and left for reputation ally dead. And if your don’t think these bullies even go so far as to kill, then wait till you get to heaven and ask about fifty-million children they never let see the light of day! Bullies can ruin situations if they are allowed to form bullyhoods.
-----Pres-elect Trump is entirely unwilling to grovel. Some say he is arrogant. He might tip the scales in that direction. We are never going to see a perfectly humble yet effectively resolute character like Jesus was until Jesus returns. So, in the meantime, to get bullyhood whipping resolution, we need to put up with a little arrogance rather than accepting a bunch of pandering out of cowardice playing like humility. Or worse yet, craftiness masquerading as humble.
-----Wouldn’t it be nice to set up a few .50 caliber automatics and eliminate the bullyhoods? If these were our situations they destroy, then it would be nice. But their not ours. All situations are the Lords. And we don’t know rightly enough to know what bully needs to be sent to his demise when to effect each situation like the Lord needs it effected. The best we can do is to do everything as right as we can, including non-groveling, non-cowering, wise directed responses to every move the bullyhood makes. Our lot in situations with bullies is to respond to them with noble resolution (which does not involve pandering,) then let the Lord weave His effect of that.
-----”17Repay no one evil for evil, but take thought for what is noble in the sight of all. 18If possible, so far as it depends upon you, live peaceably with all. 19Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God; for it is written, ‘Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.’ 20No, ‘if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals upon his head.’ 21Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” (Romans 12:17-21
Love you all,
Steve Corey
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