(excerpt from new book)
Bullies don’t back down until they’re forced to. When you stand up to them, even when you aren’t sure of your own ability to fight, it sends a message to them that you’re not quite the pushover they thought you were.
Years ago, when I worked in a factory, a certain employee thought he could boss me around. He knew I was a Christian and must have figured I was an easy mark for him to bully. He’d holler at me, “DO THIS! DO THAT!” And for a while I did it, because I didn’t want to make anyone mad. Plus, he was a lot bigger than me!
Well, one day I finally had my fill.
So when he yelled at me (in front of an audience) to do something, I yelled back at him, “I’m not your dog. Do it yourself!”
“What did you say?”
I repeated, “I’m not your dog. Do it yourself!”
About two seconds later he was standing in front of me, towering over me.
“What’d you say?!”
I didn’t budge or back down. Looking up at him, square into his eyes, I remember thinking “I’m dead. He’s gonna kill me. One hit and I’m done.”
But, you see, I’d had my fill. I was tired of being bullied.
So I said it again. “I’m not your dog. Do it yourself!”
Guess what happened? He looked at me, looked around at the other guys, turned, and walked away.
And I lived to work another day.
Now I don’t hold to the fantasy that the devil will get tired of bullying when we stand up to him. No, though he WILL leave for a while, keeping his eyes peeled for another opportunity. But the good news is, you and I were not created to be lunch for that mangy lion. We’ve been given all we need to face every trial and temptation, and live to work another day for Jesus.
I encourage you to continually remind yourself Who it is you belong to. What He has done for you, what He is doing in you, and the eternal truth that “Greater is He Who is in you than he who is in the world.”
You do NOT need to be the lion’s next meal. You do NOT need to accept the bully’s remarks or give in to his enticements.
You are more than a conqueror through Christ Jesus your Lord.
Believe it. Declare it. Live it.
To God be the glory.
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The book will be available at Amazon.com shortly as a Kindle ebook and paperback.
Jan Grace 