Up until now, I’ve been writing mostly from the perspective of the victim, which puts me in a safe place. I can be the sweet, innocent hero of the story, while all the other characters are the bad guys. Well, it was nice while it lasted, but in real life there is always another side to the story. Whether we regard ourselves as bully or victim, the Bible is quite correct when it tells us that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Rom. 3:23). Truth be told, bully or victim, we’re all made of the same stuff. We’re all capable of the same things. Have I ever wounded anyone? Yes, I’m sorry to say that I have. I never considered myself the bullying type—with the small-framed body I had, badgering or pushing other people around physically wasn’t much of an option for me—but there were times when I could say mean things. I could spread malicious gossip, cut people down with insults, or go along with the crowd by ostracizing someone. It’s so easy to do, and it amazes me how a victim, who knows how it feels, can still be insensitive to the feelings of others.
