Do not be afraid, but go on speaking and do not be silent.
(Acts 18:9 ESV)
Have you ever felt like you’ve been kicked in the gut? Physically or metaphorically? Pushed down, and every time you try to get up, you get pushed down again? For most of my school years, I was bullied. I received little empathy from my dad – as he continually gave me the same advice: Get back up, stand up to the bully, fight back. I always thought this was easy for him to say because he was a commando in the Canadian army and he was trained to defend himself in all situations. For me, I cowered in fear. I would slink down the school hallways, hoping beyond hope that I’d not be pushed down. I’d take the long way home if I saw certain people up ahead. Even bully-free days were filled with the stress of “what if?” – I lived in fear. Afraid to stand up for the extra pain that would follow.
Then one day, I heard my father’s voice as I was cowering in fear – and I listened. I stood up for myself. I fought back. My life was changed forever. It took me a long time to listen to my father’s voice, to trust in his instruction.
Today I think about Nova Scotia and how we’ve been bullied by life lately. The virus has taken its toll on us. Just as we were preparing to rise from the kick in the gut called COVID-19, a shooter put a beatdown on us. It hurt, it hurt bad. (Not too long after – or very far away, in Truro – a family is frantically searching for a lost toddler, yet to be found.)
Then, trying once more to get up, we are pushed back down by the news of a helicopter crash taking the life of one of our own.
Once more, pushing ourselves up, we are struck back down by the news of an airforce pilot, a Snowbird originally from NS, losing her life in a plane crash. Life attacked air, land, and sea.
It’s not life that’s the bully, for life is an incredible gift from God. The bully is the deceiver, Satan. Satan is the one who continually attacks.
For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.
(Eph. 6:12 ESV)
What are we to do? We keep getting pushed back down. Do we stay down? NO! We listen to the Father, for He is the one who encourages and gives us the advice we need to get up and fight back.
But as for you, be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded.
(2 Chron. 15:7 NIV)
So do not fear, for I am with you;
Do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
(Is. 41:10 NIV)
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
(Jer. 29:11 NIV)
Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.
(Josh. 1:9 NIV)
Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and prefect of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
(Heb. 12:2–3)
Let’s not get discouraged, brothers and sisters. Turn to the Father, and nothing will keep us down.
Nova Scotia Strong!
Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.
(1 Tim. 6:12 ESV)