The Bully

“The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe.”
Proverbs 29:25

Have you noticed that we live in a world filled with people who intimidate, threaten, bully, and pressure others?
How do you respond to people like that?

When I was 11 years old, I took a hunter’s safety class at our school one night.
We stopped halfway through for a snack break, and a few of my friends and I went outside for a quick stroll.

We were a short way down the boulevard when the school bully suddenly jumped out and started harassing all of us. He was yelling and threatening to beat all of us up, and chased us quite a ways down the road. We outran him, but now we were further from our class which was starting soon.

We stopped, breathing hard, and turned back toward the school. This laughing, taunting bully stood between us and our class. What to do? Run around the school? Hide? Then it hit me. Turn the table on him.

“Let’s run right at him. He can’t take us all on. There’s no other option.” The words flowed from my lips with primal resolve. “Let’s go! GO!”

The four of us charged at him. The predator had now become the prey. It was obvious: as his eyes got wider, his confidence grew smaller.
Seeing him fearful now empowered us.
As we approached him at full speed we broke off and went around him. He gave a half hearted swipe at one of us as we laughed, yelled, and got back to class just in time.

We deflated the bully’s strength.
Our confidence soared and we were united in victory. That bully never bothered us ever again. (James 4:7)

The fear of man brings a snare to your mind, body, and soul. Even being afraid to speak in public demonstrates the fear of man.
Break free from your fear, it will keep you from fulfilling God’s purpose in your life. Move forward in faith believing that God will give you courage and victory.
Do what is RIGHT, and if fear stands between you and what’s right, then so be it. Move forward anyway…God will always have your back if you’re walking in truth.

Obey God. Fear ONLY Him.
Trust Him. You’ll be safe.
Don’t let the devil or his minions of fear intimidate you.

Keep your armor on.