Sometime recently, as I stood up to a bully on behalf of a friend, I faced some unpretty backlash.
It was painful and unpleasant. For days, my heart felt heavy. Feeling mistreated and unfairly dealt with, I felt maligned. Fear even entered my heart as I dealt with the threats and intimidation.
“Maybe I should avoid him altogether.”
“No, you mustn’t!” insisted Cliff. “You did the most courageous thing. Stand on your ground. Carry your joy. And if the bully confronts you again, stand strong!”
I was angry. Angry not just with the bully, but the rumors he’d spread about my standing up to his actions. But as I searched my conscience through the Word, it gave me clarity—
That in circumstances of unfair treatment, the Bible is clear:
1. Stand up for those who cannot stand for themselves. Correct injustice. (Prov 31:8-9, Isaiah 1:17)
2. Do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. (Luke 6:27-28)
3. Trust that wrongdoers will be paid back for their wrongs (Col 3:25) and thus, leave room for God’s wrath. (Romans 12:19)
Romans 12:17-21 sums it up best-
“Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,”says the Lord. On the contrary:
“If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
if he is thirsty, give him something to drink… Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Friend, if it takes pursing your lips so you do not gossip under the guise of seeking a listening ear for your venting, if it takes going against every muscle fiber to pray for the people who hurt you, if it takes girding your courage every morning to show up to a bully at your workplace, do it.
In this season, I will encourage myself to do so, and so can you.