The Bully Doesn't Give Up! (Part 2)

Bullies don't often give up. They just look for another opportunity in a different place of vulnerability, changing tactics and catching the victim off-guard.

And so true to form, the Bully didn't take long to regroup and sneak up on me in another situation. (See the previous post) It sent me into a tailspin of emotion...trying to choke back tears and keep on doing life. But thankfully, my Hero, the Holy Spirit of Christ broke through the emotional cloud I was churning in.

"Ok Jan. Resist! Stand! Say NO! Remember that? Now look at the entire passage and park yourself there."

And so I got out my Bible and actually wrote it all out in my journal:

6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, 
7 casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. 
8 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 
9 Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. 
10 And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. 
11 To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen.
1 Peter 5:6-11 ESV

And I parked there ... and meditated ... and let it wash over me. That's when verse 7 jumped out at me.

Of course, "casting all my anxieties on HIM, because HE CARES FOR ME!" Focus on HIM! Throw my stuff on HIM! Why? Because HE cares for ME ... yes, ME! far from perfect ME!

That's when I recalled my recurring image that the Lord always seems to bring me back to, no matter the situation. Here's how I told it in a previous post:

I have this recurring image.  It began in worship one Sunday years ago.  I was struggling emotionally about some issue.  Then out of the blue, I had a sense, not a literal vision, but rather a picture in my spirit.  The picture was of Jesus and me climbing a mountain.  He had me by the hand and was carrying a "Santa-like" sack on His back.

Suddenly He stopped climbing and turned to me saying, "We can't go up any higher until you throw that burden you are carrying into my sack.  You need to let ME carry it!"

So I threw it in!  And oh, the JOY and peace...and we kept climbing together!

Now often when I'm struggling with an offense, a disappointment, a slight, a rejection, whatever, I see and hear my Traveling Companion, my Guide, my Empowering Savior say, "Okay, Jan, throw it in!  We can't go any higher if you don't!"

And when I throw my burden in Jesus' sack, freedom and JOY flood my soul!  Then we can go on climbing hand in hand together. Why?  Because...

...the JOY of the Lord is your strength. Nehemiah 8:10

How about you?  Do you have a burden that you weren't meant to carry?  Throw it into Jesus' sack!  Return to JOY and keep on climbing hand in hand with Him!

Lord, take me higher and higher in my experience of YOU and all there is of Your Fulness! 
The world has a downward drag! 
But I cling to You, rejoicing in my Risen, Indwelling Son of God!  Amen!

...casting all your care upon HIM, for He cares for YOU. 
1 Peter 5:7 NKJV

Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall. 
Psalm 55:22 NIV

Are you struggling, dear sister or brother? Do you sense that the Bully is at it again in the midst of your vulnerability? Resist him firm in your faith! And throw all your stuff, no matter what it may be, on HIM. HE cares for YOU!!!!! Yes, YOU! far from perfect YOU!

The Bully will flee, surrendering to the Superior Power of the Living God, the Perfect One. Praise Him!