Faith Filled Family Magazine November 2016 | Page 87

cope and recover from this dangerous problem. strong you really are. The Word encourages us to pray for those who seek to do harm to us. It is not natural for us to want to do that, but that’s exactly why we should. When we show love to our enemies by being kind when they are unkind, by praying for them when they are being mean, we are being most like our Heavenly Father. Further, Luke 6:31 says: “And just as you want men to do to you, you also do to them likewise.” So what is the bully saying by behaving that way? Do they believe they ENCOURAGEMENT IN should be treated the way they GOD’S WORD treat others? Yes, they do. They do not think very highly of themTake courage! God does not like selves, and it shows in their bethe bully’s evil actions and intents havior toward others. toward others. Know that God is with you as it says in 2Thess. He or she does not have enough 3:3: “But the Lord is faithful, who self-esteem to understand they will establish you and guard you are worthy of love and respect. from the evil one.” And again in Therefore, they cannot bestow Deut. 31:6, “Be strong and of love and respect on to others, at good courage, do not fear nor be least not to someone they feel afraid of them; for the Lord your jealous and envious of. The bulGod, He is the One who goes ly more than likely wants somewith you, He will not leave you thing that you have. You may be nor forsake you.” He says again very smart in math and they may in Isaiah 41:10: “Fear not, for I be doing very poorly. Instead of am with you, be not dismayed, asking you for help, they would for I am your God. I will strength- rather make themselves appear en you, Yes I will help you, I will to be superior to you, always in uphold you with My righteous front of other people, so they right hand.” look important. The last thing a person should do if they are faced with a bully, is to keep silent. They should avoid isolation, and be active in school in order to keep busy and avoid potential victimization by being alone. Communication is very important. Lose the idea that you do not want to “snitch” on anyone. Tell someone you trust what you are going through. They may have ideas that can help you resolve the situation. Make no mistake about it. God loves you! He wants the best for you. Yes, being in a situation like this is very hard. It hurts to think someone may dislike you so much that they would want to hurt you. But God loves you and seeks your highest good. Sometimes it does not feel that way, but it is true. This may very well just be a test for you to see how It is an age-old problem that simply needs to stop. As stated before, through a praying home environment, parents that instill good in their children, teachers that are aware and alert to see the symptoms and signs of bully behavior and victimization, perhaps one day, we can finally make these statistics non-existent. At least that is my hope and prayer. ________________ SOURCES CITED: https://www.dosomething.org/ us/facts/11-facts-about-bullyinghttps://www.stopbullying.gov/ cyberbullying/what-is-it/ https:// nobullying.com/bullying-suicidestatistics/ Other sources to get help and information from: http://theprotectors.org/faithbased-school-4-part-anti-bullying-program/ http://www.pacer.org/bullying/ http://www.stompoutbullying. org/ http://www.championsagainstbullying.com/ http://www.endcyberbullying. org/ http://www.bullyingstatistics.org/ content/bullying-and-suicide. html