~ Bullied ~

[Lani]

Psalm 35:17-28
17 Lord, how long wilt thou look on? rescue my soul from their destructions, my darling from the lions.
18 I will give thee thanks in the great congregation: I will praise thee among much people.
19 Let not them that are mine enemies wrongfully rejoice over me: neither let them wink with the eye that hate me without a cause.
20 For they speak not peace: but they devise deceitful matters against them that are quiet in the land.
21 Yea, they opened their mouth wide against me, and said, Aha, aha, our eye hath seen it.
22 This thou hast seen, O LORD: keep not silence: O Lord, be not far from me.
23 Stir up thyself, and awake to my judgment, even unto my cause, my God and my Lord.
24 Judge me, O LORD my God, according to thy righteousness; and let them not rejoice over me.
25 Let them not say in their hearts, Ah, so would we have it: let them not say, We have swallowed him up.
26 Let them be ashamed and brought to confusion together that rejoice at mine hurt: let them be clothed with shame and dishonour that magnify themselves against me.
27 Let them shout for joy, and be glad, that favour my righteous cause: yea, let them say continually, Let the LORD be magnified, which hath pleasure in the prosperity of his servant.
28 And my tongue shall speak of thy righteousness and of thy praise all the day long.

*O Lord, you have seen this; be not silent. Do not be far from me, O Lord. Psalm 35:32 (NIV)


From sixth grade through high school, I was constantly bullied and teased. I learned to live with it, but many days I came home in tears, wondering why God was doing this to me. When my graduating class’s ten-year reunion was announced, bitterness and anger filled me as I recalled what some of these people had done to me in the past. I sought solace in the word of God. I stumbled upon Psalm 35 and was floored. God spoke directly to my heart through that psalmist’s words about not letting enemies laugh at him or hate him when they have no reason.

The psalm explained so clearly my current feelings about my past bullying experiences that my anger dissipated in seconds. I realized that God was fully aware of how I felt, had always been aware of the pain that the bullying caused, had not wanted it, and had never abandoned me during those difficult times.

Bullying is always damaging and painful for those who endure it, no mater how we try to explain it. But that doesn’t mean that the victims of bullying have to live with pain, anger, and bitterness forever. God is always with us in our times of trial, and God wants to free us from preoccupation with past hurts.


Prayer: Dear God, our helper, remind us often that you are with us no matter what we face and that your word holds the answers to how we can respond. Amen

Prayer Focus of Day: Those who are bullied

Thought for the Day: God wants to free us from our anger over past hurts.

Story shared by: Justin S. (PA)
Source: Upper Room Daily Devotional 5/1/12

[dantyriverside]

I was bullied all thru Jr High. There was only 26-32 in my class (entire grade) at one time. So looking back they had to pick on somebody. I go to group therapy every Thursday. Well to my surprise about 6 months ago the most popular girl (leader of the bullies) in my class showed in my group therapy. Not to go into details but I learned that she had it rough at home and while I was haveing a bad childhood so was she. Who knew? I guess she was just acting act. We all had to transfer to a big school because our little school only went to 9th grade. When we did I went from a class of 26-32 to a class of 250 and it was great there were 250 just in my grade. There were so many kids I just blended in. NO MORE BULLYING!! My prayers had been answered. God had got me thru it. God Bless Yall!!

Loves
danty