Stand Up To The Bully!

Let's try something.... take your index finger and poke your arm one time. That was harmless...right? Okay, now poke that same spot on your arm 25 times. Still harmless, although bordering on somewhat annoying...right? Now, imagine poking that same spot on your arm 10,000 times without stopping. More than likely, you would have a sore arm. You would probably also have a bruise on the surface of your arm which is a sign of broken capillaries underneath your skin where the real injury lies.

This analogy is played out every day in our lives between ourselves and the ultimate "bully", the devil. We all have something in our lives that is vulnerable and is easy prey to the devil. It may be worry about our health, it may be worry about our financial situation, our kids or marriages or a combination of several things that the devil can "poke" until we are broken. At first, we try to handle these "pokes" ourselves thinking no one will ever know. However, over time, there are some visible signs that we are struggling. But, the real hurt is inside our hearts where our family and friends cannot see. As the "poking" continues and the devil's smile widens, the pain and bruising mounts and we can become lost in our struggle and lose our focus on God which is exactly what the "ultimate bully" desires.

The good news is that while the devil is the ultimate bully, God is the "ultimate principal." He can expel the devil from our lives and stop the "poking." He sees what others can't see and he can do what others can't do. We are told in 1 Peter 5:8 "Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour." We are told in verses 9 and following to resist the devil, to stand firm in the faith and that God will himself restore you and make you strong and firm. But, how do we do that? How do we keep our thoughts from drifting to these worrisome areas where the devil preys?

God tells us how to do this in Philippians 4:8 "Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things." In other words, FOCUS on the good and not the bad. Stay busy and focused on the good things in this life. Check on the sick, volunteer, surprise a friend that's having a rough time and buy them lunch, play games with your children and more. If we can focus on the RIGHT things and thereby stand up to the bully, the bullying WILL STOP! God Bless!