When hatred assails, God prevails

It is so hard to see God when all we see is hatred and when we also see the hateful things that some people are willing to do. When we are attacked (or assailed) then it feels like we are all alone. That is not true. At the point that we are at our lowest, then we tend to see the goodness of God through people because He prevails and always proves to be more powerful and victorious than the act that was committed. God can and will work through us but only if we open the door and let Him in. We are and can be the instrument that others need to see in order to help them understand God better and in a deeper manner.

I prefer peace, as do most of us. But we must always stand up against hatred. Hatred is the bully that tries to belittle us and tries to make us feel small. The person who says hateful things instead of listening to another point of view is a bully. We can’t pretty it up in order to save their feelings. If change is going to happen, then there must be honesty. When people begin to see the results of their actions, change can happen.

As a former teacher, we were always told that we need to stand up to bullies. However, we can’t just confine it to the school setting or to children. Bullying is a systemic problem that also occurs in the workplace, in politics, and in society in general. If our opinion is different than another person’s then that person will try to shame us so that we back away. We comply sometimes to the bullies demands because we find that it is so much harder to stand up and stand for what is right and just.

However……

When we stand up for what is right then we should see that this is God, who works through us and gives us the strength and the courage to do what we need to do. We begin to see the goodness of God through his sons and daughters and the acts that they perpetuate in His name. Is this going to be easy? No. Is it necessary? Yes. Changing the world starts with all of us. We are the conduit in which God works. He just wants to be given the chance to.

So what did I learn from this? I don’t have all the answers and I never will. It’s okay to admit it. I have found that with God as my guide, though, I am more powerful than I even imagined. Bullies hate that.

What can you gain from this? Know that you are not alone. Remember, Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”