Bullying can come in a lot of ways, but it often comes in one of four forms:
- Verbal: Includes name calling, teasing, and racial or ethnic slurs
- Social: Spreading rumors, leaving people out of activities, and turning on friends
- Physical: Includes hitting, punching, shoving, and other physical abuse
- Cyberbullying: Negative comments on Facebook, Twitter, texting, and email.
Why It Happens
Hurt People Hurt People: Oftentimes, people who bully others are acting out of some hurt they have experienced.
What to do About Bullying
- Ask for Help: Speak with an authority figure such as a teacher or guidance counselor at school or a supervisor at work.
- Don’t Retaliate: Do NOT seek revenge. Choose to forgive them and seek to resolve conflict and not avoid it.
- Seek Advice: It might be wise to sit down with a professional Christian counselor and/or trusted adult to talk through the effects of bullying.
- Pray: Ask God to help you and give you confidence in Him and “pray for those who persecute you” (Matt. 5:44).
Deuteronomy 31:6 says, “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” God is always with you. You can turn to Him and trust Him with everything in your life.
