Strong girls aren’t mean girls II

Yesterday I wrote an article for my column about a group of teens who poured bodily fluids on an autistic classmate by tricking him into thinking they were doing the ALS ice bucket challenge. They poured the vile fluid on him from the roof of his garage while recording and posting it to Instagram.

I can’t watch the video without crying. As a Mom with teen boys with autism, I can’t imagine someone doing that to my sons. I have to wonder — where was the voice of reason in this group of kids? Did no one stop to think about how it would make their autistic peer feel?

If just one of them had stopped or refused to participate–would it have given the others a chance to slow down and think about the consequences of their actions?

Strong girls aren’t mean girls. Strong girls stand up for those who can’t stand up for themselves. They are strong enough and have the courage enough to go against the flow, to be different, to say no when their heart is telling them something is wrong.

God’s Word reminds us of the Lord’s call to care for the defenseless. In Leviticus chapter 19, God instructs those with fields and vineyards to leave a portion of the harvest for the poor. There are many scriptures in the Bible that instruct us to help those in need: Leviticus 25:35, Deuteronomy 14:28-29, Deuteronomy 15:7-11, Isaiah 58:6-7, Psalms 41:1-3, Proverbs 11:25, 19:17, 22:9, Matthew 5:42, 6:1-4, 19:21, 25:31-46, Luke 6:38, 11:41, 12:33-34, Acts 20:35, 1 Corinthians 12:4-11, 12:27-31, 13:1-13, 2 Corinthians 9:6-7, Galatians 2:10, Ephesians 4:7-12, 1 Timothy 5:16, 6:17-19, Hebrews 13:3, 13:16, James 1:27, 2:2-9, 2:15-16, 1 John 3:17-18.

Psalm 82:3 reminds us to: “Deliver the poor and needy: rid them out of the hand of the wicked.“

A Strong Girl who is attentive to God’s voice won’t go along with the crowd. She’ll listen for that still small voice above the boisterous noise and giggles of a group of bullies. This power and strength isn’t because the girl is exceptionally strong, but because she has tapped into THE STRENGTH that the Holy Spirit provides.

The Apostle Paul, who wrote about a third of the New Testament, reminded his friends in Corinth of this supernatural strength when he wrote in his letter to them:

“And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God.For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling.And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power” 1 Corinthians 2:1-4.

Paul was a bold guy, but even he was afraid at times. He knew that his preaching was only powerful because of God’s power. If you’re scared to stand up, be yourself, go against the flow–ask God for boldness. I guarantee He will give it to you.

When I am in a conversation that I feel isn’t right, I pray quietly to myself and listen for God’s voice. “Give me the right words, Lord. I don’t know what to say.” I pray this if I’m being bullied, too. (Yes, grown ups are bullied, too!) God has never failed to help me in those uncomfortable situations.

Then there are times when I’m with friends and I get that icky feeling inside that what we’re talking about isn’t pleasing to God. If you’re in a situation and you feel that ickiness? It could be the Holy Spirit pricking your heart, warning you to stop before it goes too far.

Sometimes when people, young and old, are in a crowd, they get caught up in the excitement and rowdiness of those around them. This is called mob mentality. But God has called us to go against the mob. He’s given us the power through His Holy Spirit to do so. All we have to do is listen for His voice and obey.

In summary: