When You’re Bullied, Remember Who You Are
By Rick Warren
"Dear children, you belong to God. So you have won the victory over these people, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world." 1 John 4:4 (GW)
What is your identity? If you are a Christian, then you are a son or daughter of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. You are a part of God's family. You were created in his image. God loves you. He made you for a purpose, and he has a plan for your life.
You need to remember who you are when you’re harassed or bullied. Why? Because bullies can smell weakness, insecurity, and low self-esteem a mile away. Bullies don't usually go after confident or self-assured people. They look for someone who is feeling down or insecure or weak. They want to pick off people when they're in their most vulnerable moments.
Who are you? You are not what other people say you are. You are who God says you are. God always speaks the truth, and it is the truth that sets you free and gives you confidence and courage. You're going to be vulnerable to deception and manipulation until you’re confident in who you are. You need to settle today the issue of your identity and who you are in Jesus Christ because it will shape every area of your life.
God is your Creator. Jesus died for you. The Holy Spirit lives in you. You have the Trinity behind you. You don’t have to worry about bullies, because bullies have no real power over you.
The Bible says, "Dear children, you belong to God. So you have won the victory over these people, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world" (1 John 4:4 GW). Satan may be trying to take you down through a bully. But the One who is in you is greater than he that is in the world.
Remember your identity, which is what David, one of the great Israelite kings, did when he wrote: "When I am afraid, I will put my trust in you. I praise God for what he has promised. I trust in God, so why should I be afraid? What can mere mortals do to me?" (Psalm 56:3-4 NLT)
If God is on your side, it doesn't matter who's against you. You may have heard the phrase, “One plus God equals a majority”.
If God is for you, what can people do to you that would change who you are and how God feels about you?
Not a thing.
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This devotional © 2018 by Rick Warren. All rights reserved. Used by permission.
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