The Bully

As a young boy growing up in the bedroom community of Martinez, California, my first cousin—two years older, taller, and more husky than me—was nothing but a bully.  He always picked on me when our families gathered at Grandma and Grandpa’s house on Sunday afternoons.

When I complained to my dad, his answer was simple: “Bust him in the nose and he won’t pick on you anymore.  That was all well and good, but I really didn’t want to hurt him—I just wanted him to stop.  Looking back, I think that came from my mom’s kindness and gentle spirit.

I had an older sibling—14 years my senior—who taught me the fundamentals of boxing.  Dad made sure I understood how to protect myself if I ever needed to.  I never looked for trouble, but I understood why they were so adamant about self-defense.

The problem was, I lacked confidence.

One Sunday, someone brought boxing gloves.  My cousin and I put them on, encouraged by my older sister, who was firmly in my corner.  Her confidence in me was contagious—like urging a dog to “sic ‘em.”

We sparred while my uncle rang a bell between rounds and the family formed a circle around us.  My cousin tried to dominate, but he couldn’t lay a glove on me.  My defensive posture and training—muscle memory—took over.  I ended up beating him pretty badly.

That day, I realized something important: his roar was bigger than he was.  After that, he never bullied me again.  I finally had the confidence to stand up for myself.

Am I saying violence is the answer?  Absolutely not.  But sometimes we need confidence to face what’s in front of us.

As believers, we are called to stand in the gap—to be God’s hands extended to a lost and hurting world.  That takes courage.  It takes stepping out in faith.  And each time we do, God builds our character and our confidence in Him.

There is another bully we face almost every day: Satan.  But he is already a defeated foe.  The Lord has risen and sits at the right hand of the Father.

Scripture says our adversary prowls like a roaring lion—much like my cousin did when he tried to intimidate me.  But just like that day in the ring, the enemy’s roar is often louder than his power.

We are called to love others and turn the other cheek—but only through God’s strength can we do this.  On our own, we want to retreat.  Yet when we step forward in obedience, empowered by the Holy Spirit, we discover a confidence that doesn’t come from us.

It reminds me of my sister cheering me on.

(Romans 8:37), “Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.”

We are victorious—not because of our own strength, but because we allow God to work through us.  When we remain pliable vessels, He uses us to touch lives and show others there is a better way.

Yes, Satan roars loudly—but like my cousin, he lacks humility and true power.

And in every battle, God rings the bell—declaring once again that the enemy has been defeated.

We remain champions of the faith when we allow God to fight our battles.

Written by,

Papa Boyd