We can’t stop every “Word Bully”-
but we can teach our children
about the power of words and how to overcome!
There will always be word bullies.
Sometimes it’s because “Hurt people, hurt people.” Other times, people have evil hearts that crave hurting others.
What ever the case – we need to be prepared BEFORE someone spews mean words, unkind, ignorant, or twisted half-truths at us or our children! We have to empower our children (and ourselves) become a VICTOR over bullying.
Word Bullies need to be confronted. Action needs to be taken. To be silent or accepting, empowers the bully to continue and allows the poison to take root in our hearts and minds. The Bible says “the power of life and death are in the tongue!” Don’t passively accept bullying. Don’t ignore it. Don’t become a victim of abuse.
Many Christians have the mistaken idea that Christians are supposed to be “meek” and “mild”- turning the other cheek- just taking abuse- no matter what someone says or does to them.
No! No! No!
The Bible tells us- Do not be overcome by evil- but overcome evil with good.
Overcome is a Verb! overcome
I used to be so nice. lol- I was afraid to speak up. Somewhere, along the way, I’ve learned to be bold in the truth. Especially when it comes to protecting my children! 🙂
I’ll never forget the time we were at the Renaissance Festival. There were quite some interesting characters who dress up and role play. On the whole, it’s quite entertaining- but not this particular time.
A man, could have been mistaken as Jack Sparrow- pirate cad of the movie, Pirates of the Caribbean. Dressed to the hilt and fully acting the part, for some reason, he zoned in on Bethany. He began approaching her with one eye on me and one eye on her. He waved his hands dramatically said in a sinister voice,
“I put a curse on your little one.”
I was stunned. Before this season of my life, I would have been appalled, scared, or grabbed Bethany and run off to find Jeff.
Instead of being afraid, I was spitting mad! No one- I mean NO ONE is going to speak a curse or unkind words over my kids. I put my hand on her shoulder and zoned in on him. I said firmly but not very loudly,
“No. You can not.”
I didn’t take my eyes off of him. He started walking toward us and said louder,
“I have the power to put a curse on you and your little one.”
If this was a game of chicken- so be it. I wasn’t going to back down. I kept my eyes fixed on him and this time I spoke louder!
” NO- you cannot.”
By this time we had quite a few people observing this interaction, wondering what in the world was going on. In the natural, I was a bit embarrassed by the attention but God’s truth was literally infusing me with courage.
Once more, he said, “I will put a curse on you and your little one today.”
I surprised myself as I heard myself loudly respond, “In the Name of Jesus- you cannot.”
He broke eye contract, abruptly turned away and strode off.
I felt shaky but triumphant.
His words held no power because God gave me the power to stand against them!
And that’s what we have to learn to do- and teach our children to do!
Surprising Treasures: Romans 8 is a great place to start memorizing! 🙂
If God is for us, who can ever be against us? 32 Since he did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won’t he also give us everything else? 33 Who dares accuse us whom God has chosen for his own? No one—for God himself has given us right standing with himself. 34 Who then will condemn us? No one—for Christ Jesus died for us and was raised to life for us, and he is sitting in the place of honor at God’s right hand, pleading for us.
35 Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death? 36 (As the Scriptures say, “For your sake we are killed every day; we are being slaughtered like sheep.”[o]) 37 No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.
38 And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,[p] neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. 39 No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.
There is power in words. Power to bless, power to break. Great post sweetheart. Everyone needs to learn to combat the lies that some words tell us. Love the line from a song by Casting Crowns- “But the voice of truth tells me a different story!”
I love that song! There are so many “words” that are used to tear down, hurt or destroy. But we don’t have to accept them- we can reject them and refuse to allow them to poison our mind!
Bravo for Jesus and you, Cindy! What a powerful witness for Bethany – and the strangers around you – to see! Oh, I wish I’d seen it in person. What a dreadfully chilling experience that must have been, until the WORD spoke through you. I love it! Thanks so much for sharing here. <3
great description- dreadfully chilling!!! It took me by total surprise- how/why? could anyone want to say that? But God! like I said- in my own self- I tend to not want to make waves or confront people- it was a witness to me- to stand in the courage of the Lord!