Gò0dNews for Everyone
Dealing with a Bully
I
by Kristen West
hit the crash bar on the door of the middle school
tactics all the time and are highly skilled at them.
and went running across the street. Finding
They spew threats, throw taunts, and lie to get us on
sanctuary in a public laundromat, I called my dad
the run—cowering in fear and cringing with worry
and asked him to come to pick me up. A bully had
as they slowly and methodically look to tear apart
it out for me. To this day, I’m not sure why. At the
our faith.
ripe old age of thirteen, I aimed to be as well-liked by
2 Corinthians 2:11 encourages us not to be “…
everyone as I possibly could but this specific girl just
ignorant of (the enemy’s) schemes.” Bullying is one of
wasn’t having it.
the devil’s most classic schemes, and to be clear, it’s
That particular night, as I sat with a handful
all he can do. But here’s the beautiful truth that, when
of classmates watching a seventh-grade boys’
seen clearly, will enable you to stand toe to toe with
basketball game, this girl spread the message that
any spiritual bully—everything they say is a lie.
she was going to “beat me up.” Needless to say,
Paul encourages us to “…take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:5). Why? Because our minds (our thoughts) are where the war is waged. The devil knows he can’t strongarm us into doing anything we don’t want to do. But he has seen over the years how highly effective spouting lies and hurling threats can be, and when bullies find a hot button to push, they don’t tend to change their tactics. The solution? Examine those taunts and threats as you hear them in your mind and replace them with what’s true. Find those incredible verses that
the moment I saw her heading my way, I bolted. I
apply to your circumstance right now and pray them
huddled between the washing machines churning
over your life, your heart, and your mind. In doing
through their cycles until my dad arrived to rescue
so, you’ll turn the tables on those bullies and put
me. I don’t know if that girl even followed me to the
them on the run!
King Koin Laundromat that night. All I know was that
(Of course, calling your Daddy always helps, too!)
her threat alone sent me running. spiritual adversary as well. Have you? The devil and his devious cohorts use these tried-and-true bullying
28 // May 2022
About The Author
I have felt that way countless times with our
Kristen West works at Rock Bridge Community Church with a heart for staff leadership, development, and care. She is a communicator with a passion to inspire, encourage, and challenge others in their daily walk with Christ. She writes and publishes weekly content on her blog at kristen-west.com.
