Seven ways Christian girls can respond to bullying.

KRISTEN YOUNG 27 NOVEMBER 2015 0 3

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Did you know that girls bully, too? Here's how they do it.

Randomly deciding someone is not in their friend zone today, and running
away/excluding them from the group

Telling others to ignore particular people for no apparent reason

Exposing secrets - tricking someone into sharing a secret, then telling everyone
else about it

Playing jokes for the purpose of making someone look stupid

Purposely whispering in front of someone to make them feel like theyre missing
out

Spreading rumours about someone, or calling them names

Facebook or IM bullying - sending insults or attacks via fake email/names,

publishing embarrassing photos/videos of kids at school, impersonating a
friend/hacking friends account to play tricks or send insults, setting up pages Like if
you think [name] is an idiot (usually something more abusive than idiot!)

What the Bible says about bullies:

This list isnt a girls only list. Boys do these things, too. Girls just seem to prefer the
subtle ways of dissing someone over punching on with them. But guess what? It isnt
new:
"A perverse person stirs up conflict, and a gossip separates close friends". Proverbs
16:28
Its crazy. Its nasty. Its a part of our broken world. They even knew that back in Old
Testament times!
But just as the bible knows the problem, the bible also has some help along the way.
Whats the bibles answer?

1. Choose your friends carefully

"The righteous choose their friends carefully, but the way of the wicked leads them
astray". (Proverbs 12:26)
I know, its easier said than done. Being popular is such a powerful thing. But its better

to hang out with people who arent game players, or who arent going to pressure you
into doing things you later regret.

2. Be a good friend
"A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity". (Proverbs
17:17)
The friend zone game only works when people go along with it. Try being a person
who can be trusted, who is known for being reliable.

3. Be a truthful friend, not a pretentious enemy

"Wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses". (Proverbs 27:6)
A good friend wont say you look fabulous! when someone has food hanging out of
their mouth. So put away the camera phone, and hand over the tissues. ;-)

4. Don't fight fire with fire

Jesus said: I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that
you may be children of your Father in heaven. (Matthew 5:39-40)
He wasnt just saying that to make our lives difficult. He lived it. He put up with a whole
lot worse than we do! So dont start nasty rumours in return, or set up an alternate
facebook page saying [name] is a nasty !#*$(&#%^

5. Protect the bullied

"Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to
act". (Proverbs 3:27)
This one takes a lot of courage. So be brave. You may get heaps for it, but as Peter
said, It is better, if it is Gods will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. For Christ
also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. (1

Peter 3:17-18). If people have a go at you for protecting the bullied, remember that
youre in very good company: Jesus suffered for doing good, too.

6. Remember whos watching

"The Lord ... mocks proud mockers but shows favor to the humble and oppressed".
(Proverbs 3:32-34)
Power plays at school can make us forget that the real power is in Gods hands, and
God isnt too pleased with our foolish human games. If we say we are followers of
Jesus, our patterns of friendship need to mirror Gods ways. Or else were liars.

7. Remember forgiveness
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ
died for us. Romans 5:8
Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us. (Luke 11:4)
Because God is loving and gracious, he has extended the offer of forgiveness even to
his enemies, by sending Jesus to take the punishment his enemies deserve. Thats us!
We have shut God out of the friend zone for most of our lives. That all changes when
we accept our responsibility, and turn to Jesus for forgiveness. Then God offers us
peace, safety and security as a member of his family, and a promise one day of a home
without pain, without fear, without suffering. Thats an amazing and undeserved gift! If
you get this eternal perspective, then it gets a whole lot easier to forgive people who
hassle you.
Theres a lot there that we can worry about. But lets give God (through Peter) the final
word, eh?
"Humble yourselves, therefore, under Gods mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due
time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you". (1 Peter 5:6-7)