Bullying
Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates a brother or sister is still in the darkness (1 John 2:9)
According to the dictionary, a bully is someone “who seeks to harm, intimidate, or coerce (someone perceived as vulnerable)”. This can be done in multiple different ways, including physical (hitting, shoving, beating, spitting, etc.), verbal abuse (insults, taunts,etc.), socio-psychological (intimidation, scaring, exclusion, etc.) and virtual (using social media to do these types of actions). Instances of bullying are recurring and hold patterns. Anyone can be a victim and live through these things; we have to be informed to know the signs and symptoms that the victims may exhibit.
The first person you can be in this situation is a victim. You suffer from this and the first thing I’d like to let you know is that this is not your fault. You are fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14) in the image of Yahweh (Genesis 1:27). Bow your head and pray for those that hurt you and persecute you (Matthew 5:44), even though I know it seems hard. Make Yahweh your shield, your Lord and your protector - He will not fail you or forsake you (Deuteronomy 31:8).
The second person you can be in a bullying situation is the bully themselves. You may know what you are doing or you may not. This position requires intense reflection. If confronted with the idea that you are a bully, do not take it lightly: consider the possibility. Examine your actions and your words. Do you love your neighbor as yourself such as prescribed in Leviticus 19:18? Do you permit unwholesome talk come out of your mouth that destroys insteads of building others up such as in Ephesians 4:29? Figure that out and ask forgiveness if it is the case.
The final position one can hold in a bullying situation is that of the authority or the witness. You are outside of the immediate situation. As a witness, gf you or anyone you know is a victim of bullying, is a bully, do not stand by and do nothing. Have the strength and the presence to rise up and speak. The Bible says in Psalm 82:4, “rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hands of the wicked.” As for authorities, if anyone comes to you signaling a situation of bullying, do not discredit them. They came to you because they have confidence that you will help the situation and submit their worries/situation to your authority as prescribed in Hebrews 13:17. Do not be afraid to act or to show love to the parties involved.
Bullying is like a sickness; it presents itself in signs and symptoms. Be there for one another, but do ont forget that you have a God that is there and will listen to your pleas like He did for His people in Egypt (Exodus 3:7). Yahweh has not left you and will never leave you. Uplift the victims, pray for the bullies and act in righteousness so that the name of the Yahweh can be praised everyday.