Tuesday, December 25, 2012

How We Should Treat Others And Encourage Them That They Are Loved, And Teach Our Children About Bullying

If you know someone who has been bullied, encourage them this: They are loved, let them know that, let them know that God loves them, it is ok if they are not like everyone else, encourage them of their good qualities, and let them know that no matter how different they are that they are loved unconditionally, and that you accept them for who they are. Stand beside them, let them know that you are their friend. Encourage them to share their feelings, don't let them try to hide it. If they are hurt by how others treated them let them know that it is ok to feel that way. Tell them that you are there for them. My mother told me these things when I was bullied and that changed my life. You can make a difference in others lives as well by showing your kindness, and that person may look up to you forever.
If you know someone who is not being loved, be there for them, you can also feel free to share anything I have posted if you feel it can be an encouragement to others. I would also like to share a passage out of the Bible that has encouraged me - it was one of the first passages I have read.
Here it is:

John 15:18-25
18 "If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. 19 If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. 20 Remember the word that I said to you, 'A servant is not greater than his master.' If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will keep yours also. 21 But all these things they will do to you for My name's sake, because they do not know Him who sent Me. 22 If I had not come and spoken to them, they would have no sin, but now they have no excuse for their sin. 23 He who hates Me hates My Father also. 24 If I had not done among them the works which no one else did, they would have no sin; but now they have seen and also hated both Me and My Father. 25 But this happened that the word might be fulfilled which is written in their law, 'They hated Me without a cause.'
NKJV
This has shown me that God loves me no matter what others have done. If you know someone who is not being loved, or being mistreated or bullied by others, share that Bible passage with them, let them know that God loves them, and also show them that you care. There are many people out there who are being bullied and they don't survive - they end up committing suicide, there is no need for any good person to waste their life. Your love and kindness could mean the difference between life or death for someone. Not everyone may come out of this as strongly as I have, and to let you know today, I am doing everything I can to help others who are victims of abuse, or victims of bullying, and trying to get messages out for others to take heed, so that the least as many people as possible would be mistreated. You have my permission to copy and paste any comments, or posts regarding this to encourage others or warn others of what bullying can do to a person, so as many measures as possible can be taken for these things to be prevented.

If you have children who are being picked on or bullied, be there to take the time to listen to them. It may be painful for them to talk about it, and they may want to pretend like nothing is happening. Listen to what their teachers have to say, and if there is any indication that they are being bullied, be persistent in talking about it, it would be good for them to get it out and release their pain. Encourage them that you love them. Encourage them that it is ok to be different, and that God created them that way. Encourage them to continue to be loving and kind children, and let them know that their love and kindness is a much greater quality and makes them a much better person than those who have all the abilities in the world but yet does mean things to others, and those who are mean to your children, have shown themselves to lack love and kindness. Encourage that to your child and encourage God's love to them. Love will get them through that. Encourage your children that it is ok to be themselves, and not to try to be like everyone else to get accepted. Trying to be someone else does not get you accepted. If another child is being picked on along with your own, encourage them that picking on that other child to get accepted will not work. I made that mistake and it haunted me for a long time, and I was even less accepted after I did that. Never tell your children that if they are being picked on that there must be something wrong with them, that will further discourage them. Encourage them to turn from sin, but to be themselves, and it is ok to be themselves, and always be persistent in loving your children, and always take time for them. Do not be too busy for your children.

Please take this seriously: If you are a parent of a child who is being bullied or abused by others, let them know that you love them, show your love to them, and be there to listen to them. Encourage them to talk to you, and listen to what they say. Never make them feel that there is something wrong with them because others are treating them that way, but always encourage them to love others despite how they are being treated. Let them know that their love and kindness shows them to be a much greater person than those who were mean to them. Encourage them in their strengths, let them know that it is ok to be themselves, pray for them, and pray with them. Let them know that they are loved for who they are, and let them know that God loves them and created them for who they are. Be there for them anytime they need you, never shut them out. You may not stop the bullying, but your love for them will get them through it.
Teach your child to observe other children, if one is left out or is alone, come along side them and include them. If your child goes to an event and they tell you they had fun, ask them if the child standing alone had fun to get them to think abou that. Loving your children and teaching your children to be loving and kind can make a difference in the lives of many. If your child is bullying others, address it immediately. The more you follow this, the less people will be out there hurting.

James 2:14-17
14 What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, "Depart in peace, be warmed and filled," but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? 17 Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.
NKJV

Anytime you see someone in need, help them. Do not ignore them. If you see someone pulled over on the side of the road, do what you can to help them. If you see someone sitting alone at a gathering, include them. If you see someone who is lonely, talk to them. If you see someone who is being abused, do something, do not just let it happen or ignore it. If a person needs someone to talk to, listen to them, your listening to them could mean the world to them. Help someone whenever you can, it will be rewarding for you, even if it seems that you do not have time. What you do to help others will someday come back to you. If someone has helped you, remember that, and remember how they helped you as an example as to how you can help others. If you ignore the needs of others, it will be a curse to you. If you help others, it will be a blessing to you.

We need to pray for all who have suffered abuse and the emotional effects that come with it. We need to pray for their healing - both physically and emotionally. We also need to pray for those being abused for their safety and well being as well, and also that they may find shelter from the abuse and be placed where they are safe. If we know someone who has been abused, we need to be a support for them, we need to listen to them without judgment, and we need to pray for them - everyone needs a good friend. We need to accept people for who they are and love them the way God loves us. Anything we do to fall short of loving others is sin.

If you know someone who has been bullied, encourage them this: They are loved, let them know that, let them know that God loves them, it is ok if they are not like everyone else, encourage them of their good qualities, and let them know that no matter how different they are that they are loved unconditionally, and that you accept them for who they are. Stand beside them, let them know that you are their friend. Encourage them to share their feelings, don't let them try to hide it. If they are hurt by how others treated them let them know that it is ok to feel that way. Tell them that you are there for them. My mother told me these things when I was bullied and that changed my life. You can make a difference in others lives as well by showing your kindness, and that person may look up to you forever.

Prov 12:10
10 A righteous man cares for the needs of his animal,
but the kindest acts of the wicked are cruel.
NIV

Righteous People are kind to people and animals, but wicked men abuse humans and animals and are cruel to them. God hates it when a person is cruel to another human or animal.

John 13:34-35
34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. 35 By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another."
NKJV

Anyone can say they are a Christian, but the evidence shows by the love you show toward others, and how you treat others.

There is another form of abuse that is very common and people don't think about it. It is most common from child to child, co worker to co worker, boss to employee, sometimes parent to child, or spouse to spouse, etc. That is bullying. There are many hurts that go along with bullying - deep emotional pain that can go on for even a lifetime. Almost everyone has been bullied at least once in their lives. Bullying includes the following: Saying unkind things to people - intending to hurt them, leaving people out or not including them, making fun of them, and can include hitting and shoving. Bullying can have devastating effects - in some cases lead to suicide. The only way to overcome bullying is to be kind to one another. Our kindness to another person can make a difference for them. Teach our children to be kind, and when we see someone being bullied, come to their side and let them know that you care, and listen to that person. Your act of kindness can change their life. Let's be kind and overcome evil with kindness.

How people treat you does not determine whether or not you are a good person, but what determines that is how you treat others. If you are kind, gentle, loving, and caring toward others, that will make you a great person. If you are mean to others, that will make you a bad person.

By Rodney Calmes

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