Mean Girls

Everybody has had that moment in their life where they have been put down.

By a friend, neighbor, stranger, whoever.

I know I certainly have, and it does not feel good.

Sometimes the pain is intentional-sometimes not.

I think as woman we especially feel vulnerable when these sort of comments are thrown our way.

Just like when we were in high school and there were the "mean girls" 

there are mean girls after high school too.

As the M&M's in the commercial say when they see Santa for the first time, "He does exist!"

They really do exist, the mean girls.

Maybe for you they come in a different form.

But  have no doubt-they are there.

You know them...

The people that laugh at other's expense.

The ones that seem to go out of their way to hurt or harm others.

The ones who purposely put others down just so they can get ahead.

After 27 years I still can't explain why.

And I don't know if I'll ever have the answer.

I don't know why other people feel the need to make others feel badly.

I was taught to treat everyone equally.

I was taught that you should treat others how you wish to be treated.

I was taught that you need to think before acting.

The same goes with speaking.

Our tongues are a viscous weapon.

In fact, this is still a lesson I am learning today and it is not always an easy one.

This topic has been heavy on my heart lately so I turned where I knew I would find answers,

 or at least for the moment I would find comfort. 

I decided to sit down with Him.

I {prayed} and {listened}.

Do you know where he pointed me?

Psalms 1-7.

I kid you not!

I could not have made this stuff up!

Those few passages are all about evil-doers, and people who seek to harm others.

He tells us not to follow the wicked ways of the sinners, rather delight in the Lord.

Stay close to Him, He will provide for us, he will make us grow and strengthen us the way no other can.

There will always be those who wish us harm, who want to see us fail.

But do you want to hear some great news?

He is for us!

Praise God! Alleluia!  I don't think there is any better news!

If He is for us, no one can be against us!

Psalm 3: 7-8 "Arise, Lord!  Deliver me, my God!  Strike all my enemies on the jaw; break the teeth of the wicked.  From the Lord comes deliverance. "

How great is our God?!

He will take care of our enemies.

Some call it Karma, I know better... 

I know it is Him sheltering, protecting, and taking care of us believers.

We need to pray for the Lord to lead us away from those who are purposely malicious to us.

To shield us from their harm.

And believe me, he will!

Psalm 5: 8-10 "Lead me, Lord, in your righteousness because of my enemies- make your way straight before me.  Not a word from their mouth can be trusted; their heart if filled with malice.  Their throat is an open grave; with their tongues they tell lies.  Declare them guilt, O God!  Let their intrigues be their downfall."

Today I pray for myself and all of those who have fell victim to the "mean girls" for Him to lead me, to make His way straight before me.

I want to live like Him. 

I want to live for Him.

I want to know where I stand, and who I stand for.  

To keep me on His path, to not stray, and retaliate when wickedness is cast my way. 

 I pray for the strength to lean into Him rather than into the wicked, mean spirited.