Do you remember being picked on as a kid, or were you the one who was picking on other kids? You know; making fun of a kid for how they looked or their lack of academic or athletic skills. I remember one girl named Doris who was Jewish and had frizzy hair, big black eyebrows and had a unique odor about her. The kids in my class loved to make fun of her and shun her. I felt so sorry for her, so we built up a friendship. I remember going to her house one weekend and I experienced her family’s observance of the Sabbath. I saw the love they had for God and each other. She wasn’t anything like the other kids made her out to be.
I remember in middle and high school that there was a group of kids who were the leaders in student government, were the cheerleaders and athletes, had the nicest clothes and drove the coolest cars. They hung out together and didn’t let anyone else into their “circle.” They made fun of and snubbed their noses to anyone that “didn’t fit in.”
Definition of BULLY: a blustering, quarrelsome, overbearing person who habitually badgers and intimidates smaller or weaker people. Was that you back in the day? Was that your parents? Chances are pretty good that kids who bully are bullied at home and they are filled with hurt and anger. Babies are not born to bully others. Keep that in mind.
When I was a kid, I was too busy being involved in music and our church youth groups to care about what others said, so wasn’t really affected much. The thing that DID affect me was when I saw someone being bullied and it made them cry. This may be where my passion for ministering to the hurting began, now that I think about it. Hmmmm.
Many of our Chained No More participants were damaged in their childhood because of bullying in their schools. It made them feel inferior and not accepted and that carried into their adulthood. Is that you? How sad is that; that a 12 year old peer or group of kids could have that much power in a life?! Wow!
When our participants can shed their past, forgive the offenders, and fill their hearts with the truth of who GOD says they are, the healing is magnificent and their entire life changes. I never get tired of watching God heal lives!
“Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.” Romans 15:7
This week on Chained No More Talk Radio, our guest will be Paul Coughlin from The Protectors, a ministry that helps schools, businesses, as well as professional athletic teams build an atmosphere of no bullying. He is a powerhouse and has a lot to share. His topic: “How To Raise Bully-Proof Kids.” Tune in on Tuesday, Sept, 13, at 2pm ET at www.toginet.com Don’t miss it!
So, as we go out in the world, look around..every person was made in the image of God, is made by Him and fiercely loved by Him. Teach your children how to respect and accept others, look for those who are on the outside looking in, and how to build healthy friendships.
STOP BULLYING!!!