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If you are reading this, you may have been bullied or love someone who has been. Unfortunately, it's become quite common for kids to bully one another at school. With social media and the internet, it's become even easier for bullies to hide behind screens and demean others.
As Christinas, we know that sometimes suffering happens. Sometimes we may face bullies, but don't lose hope! Jesus shows us how to deal with them.
A Catholic Guide to Bullies according to Christ
(Taken from the book I wrote for moms and daughters to read together called Bloom, chapter 3)
It is pretty common to encounter a bully at least once in your life. It can be very hurtful and even make you feel afraid. Whenever I am afraid, I always ask for Jesus’ help. So let’s look to Jesus’ life to see how he dealt with bullies.
Jesus was bullied. He had wonderful friends and was very close to God. He was perfect and never did anything wrong, and yet people still bullied Him. Never think people bully you because you've done something wrong.
When Jesus was sentenced to death, many people made fun of Him. People said Jesus was a king (which is true), so some of the bullies beat Him up and then gave Him a crown, but it was made of thorns instead of gold.
How did Jesus react? Did he go tell on the bullies or send them to jail? Did he yell back at them telling them why they were wrong? No, he didn't. Jesus didn’t listen to the bullies. He heard what they said, and it probably hurt His feelings too, but He didn't believe them. He knew who He was.
He didn't even spend his time trying to get the bullies punished. He actually prayed for them! Now, I want to say that it's important to alert an adult if you are being bullied, and they SHOULD be punished, but it doesn't always work out like that. Jesus teaches us that our happiness and self-worth does not depend on whether our bullies get punished or not.
A Catholic Guide to Bullies tells us to do the following if you're being bullied:
Tell an adult.
Pray for them.
Remember bullies are telling lies. You are good and loved, no matter what they say.
Spend time with people who know you and love you.
Read these scriptures to know how wonderful and valuable you are:
“God is our strength and our refuge, an ever-present help in trouble.” (Psalm 46:1)
“The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing.” (Zephaniah 3:17)
“Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, ‘The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for Him.’” (Lamentations 3:22-24)
“I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you.” (Jeremiah 31:3)
“Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name. You are mine.” (Isaiah 43:1b)
“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, Nor shall the flame scorch you.” (Isaiah 43:2)
“See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are. The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know Him.” (1 John 3:1)
God's Vengeance is Better
I know the whole "turn the other cheek" way isn't the most satisfying for angry parents. When someone hurts our children, it's our instinct to protect our children and want vengeance on those who hurt them.
Again, Scripture tells us how to deal with the need for revenge. Scripture tells us vengeance belongs to God. It's not our job to get these kids punished. Reading through these scripture verses on vengeance helped me so much to know their punishment is in His hands.
A Catholic's Prayer for Bulled Kids
Consider praying the following prayer I wrote to pray over their children who are being bullied.
Lord, Jesus. I come to you today on behalf of my beloved son/daughter ___________. I know you have a heart for those who suffer, and you ache when they do. I ask you, Lord to send your Holy Spirit upon us. Help them have so much clarity about who they are in your eyes. Help them to see just how loved they are. Give them strength to endure this suffering and to grow in love for their bully. Help them to see how lost and confused this bully must be.
I pray in a special way that you heal this bully's heart, that you restore what has been lost. Help us all to see how broken this person must be. Guide our hearts to be more like you, Jesus. Give me the strength to leave vengeance in your hands, Lord. Amen
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