Scripture: “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. (Romans 12:2 NLT).
Were you ever bullied as a child? Schoolchildren are often excruciatingly mean to one another. They seize upon some imperfection—overweight, underweight, poor eyesight, etc., etc.—and make some unfortunate child a target of vicious crowd-spite. Because I was chubby, the children called me “Fatso” and made my school daysmiserable. In junior high, I was serenaded by a group of boys singing, “She’s too fat, she’s too fat, she’s too fat for me.” I managed to laugh, but on the inside, I died.

In my misery and loneliness, I became an avid reader and again—different. Nowadays, the bullying term is “nerd.” The name speaks of homeliness, unpopularity, bookishness. I actually worked at making poorer grades. How much energy I wasted trying to fit in!

I needed a champion. The Good News is, I have found One! My relationship with Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior has brought incredible love and acceptance, not only by God Himself, but also from my beloved church family. Best of all, I have a sense of Jesus standing tall and strong alongside me, sternly threatening those who would mock, “Leave her alone! That’s My kid!”

Prayer: Thank You, Jesus, for loving me just as I am! Thank You for being my Champion!