Article January 14, 1991 Issue

A better response

Sometimes people who ought to be friends, aren't. But things can change for the better—with some prayer on our part.

William A. Gough

The scene was this: I was a young student beginning his first year of high school. It was an exciting time with many interesting things to do and new friends to make. But unfortunately there were also some bigger guys from a higher grade who always picked on me. They would tease me, make jokes about my clothes, my size, my desire to do well in school. I didn't know how to respond to this; I wanted to avoid them and I wanted the verbal attacks to stop.

Recognize this type of story? Have you been in a similar situation? Perhaps in a different setting but with the same feeling of frustration and futility. Or perhaps you are one of a group that is being targeted. Is there a happy ending to this story?

I have found turning to the Bible for inspiration and guidance very helpful when trying to solve problems. Although the Bible records events and characters in a setting and time very different from our own, the issues and problems these people faced are not really that different from those we face today. Being bullied and having enemies is certainly nothing new.

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