Daily Devotional for December 19, 2019
Fixing a Bully
Dayton tossed his lunchbox on the counter. “I’m going to get even with that bully if it’s the last thing I do!”
“What’s this all about?” Dad asked, looking up.
“When I got off the school bus, Andre and four of his friends started chasing me,” replied Dayton. “Andre grabbed my lunchbox and threw it in the street right in front of a car! It’s ruined!” Dayton showed it to his father. “I’m going to beat up Andre as soon as I catch him alone!”
Dad examined the lunchbox. “I’m sorry you’re having problems with Andre—we should talk about that. But getting even is not going to fix anything.”
“But, Dad! Andre is a bully, and someone has to teach him a lesson!” said Dayton. “If I can just catch him alone, I’ll fix him! He’ll never bully anyone again!”
Dad held up the broken lunchbox and asked, “Dayton, can you fix this?”
Dayton looked at the smashed box and frowned. “No. I think it’s done for, Dad.”
“What if we took it to Mr. Henderson’s fix-it shop on the corner? Do you think he could repair it?”
“Well…maybe. He’s good at that kind of stuff. But it would probably cost more to fix it than to buy a new one.”
“I wouldn’t be surprised,” said Dad, “but if you really wanted this particular lunchbox, someone who knows what to do can fix it, right?”
“I guess so,” replied Dayton, knowing his father was about to make a point.
“Well, that’s the way it is with people too. Take Andre, for instance. I agree that he does need to be stopped, but can you really fix him? Beating him up might teach him not to bother you, but to make him stop being a bully, he needs a heart change from someone more powerful than you. Don’t you think?”
Dayton sighed. “Yeah.”
“You may have to defend yourself sometimes, but God tells us not to get even. Instead, we need to remember the high cost Jesus paid to fix our sinful hearts and show others His love. Let’s ask Him to fix Andre instead of you trying to do it.”
“Okay, Dad,” Dayton replied. “I’ll pray for him.” Shawn Foster
How about you?
Do you think getting even is the only way to fix someone who’s mean? God says that’s for Him to take care of, not you! Unkindness comes from a person’s heart, and only God can fix that. Instead of trying to change someone yourself, ask Jesus to change them (and be sure to tell a trusted adult about the situation too). You might be surprised to see what God can do in a person’s heart.
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