“14 year old girl takes her life after bullying.”
“Teen girl/boy found dead after cyber bullying.”
“Homeless veteran beaten to death in wheelchair on street.”
Over the last few years or so we have seen more and more headings like these than we would care to admit. Someone shooting several people then taking their own life is not only cowardice, but commonplace. Bullying someone and causing that person to lose joy in life and the will to live is sick. Just recently a teen girl took her own life because of the beat down she received in the hallway at school. A 9 y/o was filmed being beaten on a school bus while no one stepped in to help, not even the adults.
When did we become so calloused? When did we become so uncaring about another person and either become the perp or the one standing by filming and watching?
I know actions like this have always been around. Sin is real. Maybe because of social media we hear and see it more. But it is heart-breaking and sickening that we have that much disregard for others.
We all need somebody to have our back. In Acts 9, the Apostle Paul (formerly Saul) converted to Christ after a period of hatred toward those who followed the Nazarene (Jesus). This was 3 years later and the early Christians were still skeptical of his conversion. It took Barnabas to have his back, to introduce him to the others, for the ice to be broken, fear to dissipate, and for them to open their arms.
Barnabas had Paul’s back. We all need a Barnabas, or two, or three. See someone hurting? See someone getting a beat down emotionally or physically? See someone in a daze from bullying? Don’t just stand idly by. Come along side them. Have their back and fight back-to-back(like several scenes from Gladiator depict).
DON’T LET THE PAIN OF ANOTHER GO UNNOTICED AND “UNREACHED.” Be the one who who says, “Enough! I will stand with you.”
I applaud you for such a post. Many years ago, when I was about 19, I was walking on the boardwalk at the beach with my friend. A teen boy had another (seemed younger) boy in a chock hold walking past us. The younger boy’s look of HELP! on his face, I have never forgotten. I stepped forward to say something when my friend grabbed my arm and said, “No, Diane, are you crazy?” I didn’t intercede. I’ve never forgotten him or my shame for not trying to help him.
Thank you Diane for your kind words but more for your honesty. Sad how not doing something haunts us even years later.
Heart-breaking and sickening is exactly it. So much of it and at any age.
Also people getting beaten down spiritually by the enemy. They also need someone to have their back. It is difficult to figure out what that looks like, both to detect it and what does it look like to have their back. I guess prayer and discernment are proper tools at that point? Do you have any tips or other tools to unpack?
i failed to mention spiritually by the enemy. Thanks for saying so. Prayer and discernment are most definitely tools that are needed. One of the biggest tools I think we must have-and it goes along with the whole prayer thing-is to pray that God gives you eyes to see beyond the external and look in a person’s eyes and heart. I believe it takes some practice to see and spot triggers but it is essential. I call it looking at people with “Spirit eyes.”
Absolutely!
🙂
Technology is a double edged sword… On one hand it, allows us to get information out quickly and efficiently… In the other hand, it allows those who would abuse and twist it to get garbage out equally quick. Combine that with the inherent desire for attention and a lack of a moral compass in which our society
has been decaying into and you have a recipe for a terrible increase in these types of behaviors. Not only does a bullied individual have to endure the attack… but not they have to relive the act on social media.
We can’t stand idly by watching, waiting, doing nothing. Even if it means putting ourselves out there… even if it means that we ourselves become a target for similar encounters… If you see it, stop it.
Your insight into social media is spot on Ryan. And I absolutely cannot disagree with your assessment of “if you see it, stop it.” We have to stop standing idly by and watching stuff happen.
It makes my skin crawl to read the news. I seldom watch it on TV anymore. I know just enough to believe that we are in the last days. And all I can say is, ‘Lord have mercy. Come quickly, Lord Jesus.’
I’m ready for Him to happen also Linda.
There has always been evil in the world as we know well, Bill. I do think we are more aware of it precisely because of social media. And being content to film a crime instead of stepping up to do something is a sin in and of itself. May we all have another’s back in time of need.
Blessings!
Unfortunately, evil has been and always will be a problem…without a doubt. I agree with you about filming a crime being one in and of itself.
Father, may you give us all spirit eyes, ears, hearts, to reach out to the hurting. What breaks your heart Father, let it break our hearts too. Make us vigilant for the enemy in whatever disguise he is hiding behind, let every hurt be exposed. Help us Father to come to the aid of those in need, to be your hands and feet as true disciples of Your Word. May Your glory and light fill the hearts of the broken hearted, and lead them to You.
Great prayer Gail! You capture the essence of my thoughts.