How do you react to bullies on social media?

Do you ignore? Do you attack? Do you just laugh at them? Do you pray for them? Do you read scripture at them? Do you delete/un-follow/unfriend them? Do you respond with a blatant ‘in your face blog post?” 😀

As a pastor dealing with the often “less than desirable people” you both hear people get called and are called quite a lot of unsavory things.  How we react to that in the heat of the moment often reveals areas of our hearts that need work.  How we handle criticism of other leaders/churches can also reveal the pride and sins in our lives.

But these words.  Words can hurt like hot coals that set our hearts on fire.  It is difficult to take correction as it is, add in a person’s personal hatred being spewed on top of it?  What do you do with it?

While there is often unconfessed sin, bitterness and pride at the root of those attacks there is also often truth. It isn’t so much how you or I handle the social aspect of social media but how we handle the truth that is spoken or yelled into our lives. So I am left really with only two actions.

1. Pray for them and their heart
2. Pray that God Spirit reveals our own hearts.

Words hurt regardless of the nursery rhyme. Be careful how you react to that “person” in your life.  When they get under your skin use that as a reason to be reminded to pray for them and you.  You may find yourself praying for one another more often.

Psalm 37:8-9
Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath!
Fret not yourself; it tends only to evil.
9 For the evildoers shall be cut off,
but those who wait for the Lord shall inherit