It is very embarrassing, humiliating and intimidating to be bullied, scorned or ridiculed by others. Bullies are insecure people who take their insecurities out on others they perceive to be weaker than them. The truth is that you are not weaker than them. No one is weaker than someone who is so insecure that they have to pick on or wound another person. A recent survey reports that more than 88% of middle school and high school students have witnessed bullying in their schools. Bullies are at-risk of greater delinquency and antisocial behavior in the future. They need help.
Talk about it. Tell your parents, teacher, youth pastor, principal and any other adult who will listen and can help. Bullying is not right, and someone in authority needs to have your back.
Do not lash out. Do not give them the satisfaction of responding the way they want you to. These kids want you to get angry and lash back out, but that will only make things worse. Proverbs 15:1 says that “A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” You want to turn away their anger, not stir it up.
Do not seek revenge. Romans 12:14-21 says that we can be confident in not seeking revenge on our enemies, because God will take care of them for us! Instead of retaliation, Jesus said we should actually pray for those who persecute us. (Matthew 5:44)
Do stand up for yourself. Part of standing up for yourself is letting people in authority know what is going on, but part of it also is telling those who are bullying you that you will not take their abuse and walking away from them. Do not let yourself be a silent victim of their abuse.
Choose good friends. Good friends will stand by you, no matter what. 1 Corinthians 15:33 says that “Bad company corrupts good character.” And Proverbs 18:24 says that there are friends that stick closer than a brother. Make friends like that, and your enemies will find someone else to pick on.
Take refuge in God. God is on your side and you can always depend on Him. Psalm 46:1 says that God is “our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”
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