Bullies have always been.
It is a trait seen in both humans and animals. The question is how do we stop the bullying?
How do we keep from being bullied and how do we ensure we don’t become the bully?
We own chickens. We started with seven girls—now there are six. It is because of bullies.
The chicks were all raised together from birth. After about 8 months, all of a sudden, one started picking on one of her sisters. It started with pecking and then pulling out her feathers. Once that started, eventually the others joined in.
The bullied chicken, in order to protect herself, would jump onto the highest perching bar during the day to stay out of reach. She would come down only when finally willing to brave their pecks to get water and food.
At night when it was time to go inside the coop, she would venture in with them. We watched as she jumped onto the roosting bar to maneuver between the two lesser bullies away from the instigators.
That’s the only time we saw her defend herself as she pushed some off the roost and out of the way. She worked to get between the ones she felt were safer so she wouldn’t be pecked all night.
As the bullying progressed, she would crouch down in a submissive stance.
Eventually all six sisters would gather around her and attack. Had she simply pecked back from the beginning and stood her ground, it would have made all the difference. Her submission to “just take it” is what allowed it to increase. Her submission stopped nothing.
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We were working to build a separate safe area for her to move her out, but she was killed first. It broke my heart. I know they are just chickens, but it was so wrong.
Now just a month later, with only six chicks left, the bully has chosen another victim and has started pecking on her. It’s the same pattern. The target now immediately goes to the highest roost during the day to get away from their bullying. She stands there alone, just watching much of the day. We had to create a temporary shelter for her to remove her from the bullies. But will they simply choose another one to bully? When does it stop?
Remember prior to this, the newest bullied chicken was one of the bullies.
Bullies have always existed. Sometimes it is because they were bullied and have now become the bully. But not always. Some are just inherently mean. But none of that is an excuse, merely an observance.
And that brings us to present day.
The point is, whether animals or humans, bullying and a “pecking order” has always been. It’s how we respond to it that determines what happens next.
I experienced a lot of bullying growing up and even as an adult. Many have.
If you assume it was just from kids, you would be very wrong. It was often from teachers, leaders and those whose job it was to protect, but who were often the instigators.
Sometimes it was people I worked with, who used their position to try to bully me into submission and shame me if I refused. They tried to humiliate me in front of a class or group, actually giving “permission” for peers to bully. That is how bullies work. They try to get others to join them.
Recently in my city, the mayor publicly bullied one of the city councilors who dared to question a new tax bond the mayor was working to implement. The city councilor suggested they slow down and vet out the project before bringing it to a vote. That would be wisdom.
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The mayor, however, went public in a radio interview, in a passive aggressive move calling the city councilor, “inexperienced” and saying, “I made those same mistakes when I was a new councilor.” He claimed the objector was objecting just for the sake of objecting.
He was doing whatever he could to criticize, diminish via bullying to get others to believe him and join him against someone who dared to question his actions. It was all for public display—because that is what bullies do.
Don’t think those kind of actions are contained to the political realm.
It happens in homes, schools, businesses and yes, sadly, in churches. Wherever there are people, the sin nature exists.
They used those tactics to bully people into wearing masks. Into taking the vaccine. Into going along with transgenderism, into giving up freedoms. They label people “haters,” who dare to speak up against insanity.
The question is, how will we respond? Will we crouch down in a submissive stance and be quiet? Or will we stand for Truth and stand tall?
Remember our bullied submissive chicken? Her submission didn’t stop the bullying at all. In fact, it invited more bullying.
It empowered the peckers because they saw she was weak.
You may feel weak today, but in our weakness, He is made strong. This isn’t about physical strength, it’s about spiritual strength. Jesus said, “Do not fear.” Fear carries a scent and bullies smell it a mile away.
I encourage you today to not be bullied. Also that we check our own actions that we do not become a bully. We live in an age where special interest groups have been given special privilege to beat, mock and spit on those who refuse to honor their lifestyle.
Often people who say, “It’s your right to live that way, just don’t push it on me and my kids,” have been targeted. People who stand for Christian values are now often the target of bullying.
But if we crouch in submission, it will not make them stop.
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When I was growing up a family member was quite abusive. Sometimes physically, but mostly verbally. Then he married and his wife was equally abusive. They would tag team. Finally one day, I was done. They started in and I dished it right back. I stood my ground.
The shocked look on their faces said it all. I had fought back. I took some steps that day, that drew a line in the sand. It never happened again. When they did try to start in again, I easily put it down and silenced it. Why? Because I showed I wasn’t afraid and I wasn’t going to allow it any longer.
Today I encourage you, don’t be afraid. Greater is He that is in you than He that is in the world.
Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you (Deut 31:6).
