Combat the Bully

There is a big bully out there and he is after the hearts of your children. He will not stop trying to manipulate their thoughts, coax them towards danger and leave them disoriented and feeling abandoned. Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to safeguard them against such bullying. You can’t keep them in a bubble because he will penetrate that bubble. You can’t defeat him alone, because he is a powerful adversary. Your task is to enlighten them to his methods and tactics and to strengthen them against his attacks.

The first step is to teach them who they are, that they were made in the image of God to reflect His greatness, that they have a divinely appointed purpose and help is available to get them to accomplish that purpose. When we know to whom we belong, we can stand up and say, “Stop! I am walking with the King of Kings and I am surrounded by His army of angels who will protect me from your lies and deceit!”  Teach them Ephesians 2:10 so that from a very early age they know that they are truly God’s “masterpiece, created in Christ Jesus to do great things that he prepared for us long ago.” It’s true! When God made them He aligned their gifts and passions with the plan that was already in place. If the Bully can convince them that they have no purpose, then God’s plan will not be fulfilled in them. Tell them often that you are glad for the special qualities that God has given them. Let them know that you are anxious for them to follow God so that you can discover together what God has planned for them.

Next, as in all areas of parenting, remain consistent with the message. They can’t believe that they are a masterpiece one day and a hopeless failure the next. It is right to address and correct the bad behaviors, but in a way that steers them back onto the path of right living. Determine the non-negotiables and stick to it. Parenting is a wearying job, but don’t give up or back down when it comes to shaping the heart of your child. Watch closely what they use to fill the God shaped void inside of them. Use language in your home that directs them to God as the answer to everything they are facing. Sound weird? Well, it won’t get easier if you wait so dive right in to the Word and see what Scripture has to say about willfulness, disobedience, arrogance, selfishness and all the other things that the Bully tries to coax them into establishing as the “norm” in their little hearts. Share this information with them. You have the Manual and it is neglectful to let them flounder when you have access to the answers in that big Book. Surround yourself with others who have been students of the Bible for longer and glean wisdom from them. 

Finally, pray for your children throughout the day. Also, pray that God will give you the wisdom to see the stealthy attacks of Satan, the chief bully. Pray for strength to stand against him and for more Christlikeness in yourself so the kids have a great role model to follow.  Know that there really are unseen powers fighting on behalf of your family so don’t fall into despair at the enormity of the task. God is faithful and will be walking with you on this journey.

Maybe you have been convinced that you are less than enough or that you can never be a spiritual guide for your children because you are a hot mess yourself. That is the Bully talking. You, too, are a masterpiece and God has a plan for you. Growing with your children is a great thing. Read Bible stories to them and learn with them. Read the Bible daily. Make prayer and meditation something that is natural by practicing it regularly. Don’t settle for being better than “so-and-so” but be who God created you to be. Nothing less will do!

“I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father,

may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation,

so that you may know him better.

I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened

 in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you,

the riches of his glorious inheritance…

and his incomparably great power for us who believe.”

Ephesians 1:17-19