- just a few of the latest forms of violence that have entered our dictionaries over the last few years. Symptoms of a sick society, a selfish society, a violent society.

Meanwhile, violence breeds violence. 30% of bullied children said they felt suicidal. Another survey claims that maltreated children are three times as likely as non-abused children to become violent themselves as adults.

Maybe you’re a victim of violence –at school; at home (the world’s first ever death resulted from a family dispute); at work. It may even be that someone reading this is guilty of violence towards someone else.

He is God’s Son, the unseen ruler of this world. But though He is the king of kings, He knows all about undeserved suffering. He bled to death on a cruel cross…..for you. When He died, He took into Himself all the blame for other people’s sins – your sins, and mine. And so when we come to Him, we come to someone who’s been where we’ve been, and worse – much worse.

Finally, hand over the situation you’re in to God in Jesus’ name. It’s important to tell someone what you’re going through – a teacher perhaps, a parent, even the police where appropriate. But above all, make sure you tell God Himself, who has the power to change the situation. And remember, the day is coming when violence and abuse will be no more. The Bible describes it as a day when swords will become ploughshares, and the wolf will lie down with the lamb. A day when there will be no more tears. A day worth waiting for!