What is bullying?
According to the national bullying helpline, bullying can be described as “unwanted conduct of behaviour designed to cause harm or distress to another person. It can be characterised as offensive, intimidating, malicious or insulting behaviour, an abuse or misuse of power through means intended to undermine, humiliate, denigrate or injure the recipient”. It can be verbal, emotional, physical, psychological or cyber.
What does the Bible say about bullying?
Although the Bible does not expressly mention bullying, it is shown in some of the stories it tells us. The Bible also teaches us how to navigate all kinds of evil and wickedness.
The story of Hannah in 1 Samuel is a clear example of bullying. Hannah endured emotional and verbal bullying at the hands of her husband’s other wife, Peninnah because she was more loved and barren. Peninnah mocked and taunted Hannah year after year which often made her cry.
Another example of bullying is seen in the story of David and Saul. Out of jealousy, envy and anger, King Saul verbally and physically bullied David. He even stalked him on numerous occasions causing David to flee from town to town in fear of his life.
How to handle bullying
1. Confide in God
Psalm 18:6 ~ But in my distress I cried out to the LORD; yes, I prayed to my God for help. He heard me from his sanctuary; my cry to him reached his ears.
Psalm 55:22 ~ Cast your burden on the LORD, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved.
Just like Hannah poured her out to God about her situation, so should you and just like God changed Hannah’s situation, he can change yours too.
2. Don’t retaliate/take matters into your own hands
1 Peter 3:9 ~ Don’t repay evil for evil. Don’t retaliate with insults when people insult you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God has called you to do, and he will grant you his blessing.
Retaliating might seem like the right thing to do in the moment but never repay evil with evil because it will make you just as dirty as them. If you choose to avenge yourself and repay them, your heart is also tainted as you have given in to wickedness and malicious acts to make them miserable. This is why God said “vengeance is mine, I will repay” ~ Romans 12:19. So, confide in God and let him repay them because it might be slow, but it will be sweet. He’ll avenge you.
3. Seek help/justice
As much as the Bible tells us to be kind, gracious and loving to our enemies, it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t want the situation to end. In fact, the Bible actually encourages seeking justice (not vengeance). Being kind to a malicious person does not mean you should sacrifice your safety. Sometimes, kind words can only do so much so if the situation is getting out of hand, confide in a trusted adult or the authorities.
Seeking justice also doesn’t just mean seeking justice for yourself. It includes standing up for others when you see them being bullied. Doing nothing as a bystander goes against the Bible.
Psalm 82:4 ~ Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked.
Proverbs 31:8 ~ Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves; ensure justice for those being crushed.
4. Remember who God says you are
Effects of bullying include low self-esteem self-worth and confidence so it’s important to remember that you are not who your bullies say you are. You are who God says you are.
You are loved, cherished, worthy, valued, beautiful, created with purpose, and most importantly, you are his. Your situation and struggles do not define you. You are good enough.
