They are surprised that you don't join them in their reckless, wild living, and they heap abuse on you. 1 Peter 4:4 NIV Bible
There used to be a time that because I was so overweight, I didn't want to stick out like a sore thumb, so I went along with things I really shouldn't have. I might have been with a group, when someone made fun of someone else for one thing or another, usually things they had no control of. Although I didn't agree, I was afraid to stand up for what I thought, because I didn't want them to heap on the verbal abuse on me instead.
It was all too easy to just fit in with the group, but the Lord has changed me heart. I have to admit, that I still struggle with standing up for others when people are making fun of them, but it's a work in progress. It's not always easy saying, "That's not a nice thing to say" or "I don't agree with you!" Fortunately, the Lord God doesn't give up on me, but continues to show me ways to stand up for those ostracized.
You would think that being ridiculed for my excess weight for so many years, would have made me, even more sensitive to being treated like this. But the more I try to be aligned with what Christ wants of me, the easier it gets to stand up for others, regardless of whether I fit in or not!
