How to overcome a complicated issue

This is a pretty tough issue to write about. It's something we're all familiar with. We see it everyday, no matter where. Bullying.

I've seen bullying come from all ages, from small children to teenagers to adults. We all at one point will face a bully in our life. 

But what makes a person this way? Because believe it or not, we all will be one. Some live everyday of their lives as one, while others slip and often feel guilty about it later. Let's talk about the people who live everyday as one. There has to be a reason for acting this way. Maybe they have insecurities? Anger issues? Jealousy? Or maybe they just weren't taught better? Regardless of whatever reason there is, I believe it's not an excuse. Let me repeat that--It is not an excuse. Whatsoever. Bullying is never okay. 

I'm going to talk a little bit about myself right now. Here's the thing.. I'm not perfect. Okay? I slip, I stumble, I fall. I genuinely have a good heart, and I honestly care about people. But like I said, I am far from perfect. I will be the first to admit, I have made fun of people. I have said things that I regret. However, I have never made fun of someone to their face. But that's not an excuse because I've done it where they weren't able to hear me. It's still wrong regardless. I wouldn't consider myself a bully, but I have acted like one before. One of my biggest problems is whenever someone is making jokes about another person, and I laugh. I swear, each time I find myself laughing, I often feel a ton of guilt. I truly believe it's the Holy Spirit in me telling me to stop, and defend that person. Now, I'm pretty outgoing, but I'm also shy at times. I've never been able to just stand up and say, "This isn't right. We need to stop because this is hurtful." That is something I truly need to work on. School is just around the corner, and that means going back to the place where I see bullying the most. 

The Bible actually talks a lot about our words, and how the tongue is able to create both life and death.  Proverbs 21:23 says, "Whoever keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps himself out of trouble." 

Ephesians 4:29 says, "Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that gives grace to those who hear."

People don't realize how much their words can have an effect on others. The phrase, "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me," is a lie. Because words can hurt. A phrase I truly believe in is, "Words are like bullets and they kill as good as any gun." 

God didn't create us to spread hate. God created us to spread love--HIS love. 

How do we expect to do that by bullying each other? We are the light of the world. We are the living proof of Jesus. The best way for people to come to know the Creator of the universe is by our example. And putting others down isn't showing Jesus. Jesus was perfect; in fact, He was kind and loving to everyone! It didn't matter what sin was inside of you, what type of person you were, He said, "Come as you are." No person is perfect, so yes we each are going to screw up. Thank God for His grace and mercy though, which is available to everyone. 

I want you, the person reading this, to really try and show love to everyone. You never know what type of battle people are facing. This life is tough, and the devil is after all of us. People are broken, hurting, angry. Just a nice compliment or smile could be enough to give them the strength to keep going. Your love could be what sets them free, that shows them Jesus. Don't be the person that causes someone to feel insecure and depressed. In this time we are living in, stuff like that can have permanent consequences. Suicide rates are increasing everyday. This isn't a joke. We are talking about human lives. This world needs Jesus. 

I want my life to have purpose. I want people to look at me and see Jesus. Not only see Jesus, but feel Jesus in me. I really want to practice what I'm preaching right now. Otherwise, I'd be a hypocrite. But even if I fall a few times, I'm gonna rise up and continue to spend the rest of my life showing others the Love that has ravished my heart, and taken me over. I can't help but think of that song "Let Them See You," which I'm sure some of you have heard it. It's truly a powerful song, although I hate the version they play on the radio. The best version of that song was sung by the wonderful Colton Dixon, and unfortunately they don't play his version, which makes zero sense because he's just way better and you can actually FEEL God's presence listening to it. Sorry, I have digressed a little. Back to our topic! If you have heard the song, I HIGHLY recommend listening to it. (Colton's version please!)

Now, if you're being bullied, I want you to know I am so sorry you are experiencing this. I know what it's like to get bullied. I can't say I've been severely bullied in my life, but I have felt the sting of words and have actually cried over the hurtful things that have been said to me. Remember you are worth so much more than this. Jesus loves you so much that He died for you in hopes that you would choose to be with Him forever. If you're hurting, cry out to Him, I promise you He's listening. He's there to comfort and dry your tears. I advise you to tell someone, a trusted adult or parent, a teacher, a counselor, a pastor, a friend. Anyone who can help you. I know what you're thinking, "Telling can make things worse." That can be true, but also not telling can make it worse. Once you get someone's help, it's easier to put an end to the bully. Sometimes a bully needs to realize what they're doing is wrong. I don't agree with the whole "getting even" thing because that's not the way to handle things. Hurting the bully solves nothing, in fact, that will in turn make you a bully as well. Be the bigger person. 

If you ever see someone getting bullied, please step in and defend the person. Sometimes the victim is too humiliated to say anything, but be that person who isn't afraid to. Believe me, just by doing that, you're helping someone and in turn showing people it's not okay. We can't be afraid to stand up to bullies. And if your friends are bullies, please reconsider who you're friends with. They will only pull you down to their level. You do not want this. You are better and you deserve more for yourself! 

And if you're a bully, please listen to me. You are better than this. You do not have to spread hate. This life is a gift.. Don't waste it by being the person who brings others down. You still have time to turn your life around, and really, truly, start living. I believe you can do this. I believe in you. 

I'm going to leave you all with some lyrics to an amazing song called "Words."

"Words can build you up, words can break you down, start a fire in your heart, or put it out. Let my words be life, let my words be truth. I don't want to say a word, unless it points the world back to You. Let the words I say be the sound of Your grace. I don't want to say a word, unless it points the world back to You."

--

"We all stumble in many ways. Anyone who is never at fault in what they say is perfect, able to keep their whole body in check. When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell. All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and sea creatures are being tamed and have been tamed by mankind, but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be." -James 3:2-9.

An Excerpt From A Book I'll Probably Never Write

Okay so I wrote this at like one in the morning so if this is terrible I'm truly sorry. I had a lot on my mind and I just spilled it out. The concept of this is kind of strange but it makes for a good fictional story, hehe. ;) So enjoy my rant-turned-into-a-fictional-short-story!! 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I found her sitting on the edge of a small cliff, overlooking a lake in the late afternoon. The sun was setting across the horizon, with bright colors painting the sky. The evidence of God's creativity and beauty truly showed. 

It wasn't until I sat down next to her that I realized she was crying. What happened? Why was she crying? Seeing her cry was enough for me to feel pain in my chest.

"Are you okay?" I asked quietly. 

She looked up, and our eyes met. My heart broke a little more as the pain was evident in the expression on her face. "No," she replied.

"Do you want to talk about it?" I scooted a little closer to her.

"He broke up with me," she said, more tears spilling from her eyes.

I shook my head. Why would anyone break up with her? I've seen every stage of her life, from the moment she was born until this very moment. I've been with her from the beginning, experiencing the happiest and saddest moments of her life. Although she would never know that I was just an angel assigned to look after her, to protect her, to be there for her. God couldn't have given me a better mission with this one. Most angels don't actually appear to the person they're assigned to look after, but this was a special mission from God. To truly help her.. And right now, God must want me to comfort her, to lift her up from this pit that she's in. I can feel it in my heart. 

"Why would he do that?" I asked her. 

She wiped her eyes. "H-He said that he's too broken to love me like I love him. That I would be better off without him. That letting him go is what I need to do. But how can I do that? I love him. I don't want anyone else. The thought of moving on.. Of letting someone else in... That kills me. Why can't he understand that? Why would he do this to me? After everything we've been through together. He promised me he was in this until the end. He said he loved me too. Why isn't that enough? All I ever did was love him. I don't understand. I let down my walls for him. And now.. I'm just gonna build them back up. I'm too broken to move on."

I took a deep breath. God, give me the right words here. 

"You know, you can treat a man like a King, put your entire being into making him happy, love him more than you can express or put into words, and it can still never be enough. I hate telling you that, but it's true. Some people realize how lucky they are, and they just aren't ready for it and they're not ready to commit. You, however, did absolutely nothing wrong. I'm proud of you for loving him like that. But I'm truly sorry that it wasn't returned back to you. Here's what I can promise you though; you're going to make it. You will, with lots of time, move on completely. You will hold your head up and God will mend that broken heart of yours. And eventually, you will find someone else, and you will let down your walls again, and it will be scary. You'll start to love him just as much as you loved this boy who broke your heart, and you will be hesitant and fearful. But here's the great news, this new person, he won't hurt you. In fact, he will love you! And that's when you realize that everything you went through, all the tears and hurt and pain, was worth it. It led you right to the very moment where you realized you never want to kiss anyone else, or love anyone else as much as you love him. Life will be beautiful once again, you'll feel so much love in your heart. God knows the desires in your heart, He knows the perfect guy for you. Let Him lead you to finding just that."

My heart felt hopeful as she smiled at me. I pulled her into a tight hug. She sighed into my chest. "Thank you," she whispered.

"You're welcome," I mumbled into her hair. 

I have held her in my arms so many times before, but this is the first time that she's ever been aware of it. She didn't know of my true identity, and I liked it that way. Comforting her was something I have grown used to, and nothing ever made me feel more complete than doing exactly what God made me for. 

"So how do I let go?" she asked as she pulled away.

"One day at a time. Know you deserve so much more for yourself. I'm not saying it's going to be easy, but you're only hurting yourself when you don't let go. At times it will be unbearable, but God is close to the broken-hearted. I believe in you," I said, placing my hand on hers.

"I can already tell it will be a rough road. Honestly, I just want to know I'm special enough to not let go of, you know? And clearly he didn't think I was that special. I want someone who won't give up on me. I won't stop searching until I find that," she said.

"You're only looking up. That's what I like to see. Now, let's get you home because it's almost dark." I said, standing up. The stars were slowly beginning to shine in the sky.

"Alright," she said as I helped her up.

I smiled to myself as we walked back. We did it again, God. Thank you for being the loving Father you are. Thank you for using me once again for Your beautiful plan...