Ever notice how the cheap shot artist always seems to never be found when all quiets down? Ever wonder how it is that no one ever seems to hold them accountable to their actions because no one can find them.
“1The wicked flee when no one pursues, but the righteous are bold as a lion.” – Proverbs 28:1 (ESV)
I was reading this morning and was brought to this verse as I study the word “bold”. I was drawn to the idea of the pseudo bully that comes in, gives a quick pop or snarky comment and then simply disappears. Later they can be found boasting of their “strong” actions and how they are such the “cool” one for doing so and that all should be following their lead. These are the ones that can be found lounging around waiting for things to calm down so that they can come out of hiding and continue to be the “cool” one around town. Meanwhile the one that was on the receiving end of the comments or actions stood there to take it and be ridiculed by the onlookers that approved of them at the time.
Who is the one to be revered? Society seems to think that the one popping in as they were the bold one to “take action”. Accordingly we find ourselves in the position of allowing the bully to get away with whatever they want. The real truth is that the one to be revered should be the one to stand boldly and take it. Those that hear the comments and experience the actions and stand their ground to face the situation head on.
The thing is that society sees the inaction and the fact that retaliation in the face of cowardice as a weakness. Those on the receiving end did not fight back and therefore they must be weak and feeble. The reality is that there is a great boldness in the standing still. By not attacking back, the one running away is running scared as they are not willing to face the situation. By standing bold, the strength of confidence is manifest for all to see. As time continues, the bold will not be attacked for much longer. The bully stops coming around when they realize there is nothing to be gained by someone simply ignoring their feeble attempts to antagonize.
It is my job as a follower of Christ to stand bold as the lion and know that at some point, the wicked will come to antagonize. Just as quickly will they back down when they realize that I/we will not be drawn into the conflict. We will not back down either. We will stand for Christ and know that He wins in the end.
When you find yourself in a difficulty situation, what are the actions you take? Are the one getting in the pop shot and then running to hide? What if you stand boldly in the name of Christ and know that He wins in the end?
Trevor's Thoughts 