Scared of Being Bullied? What Jesus Would Say

Hey, Carpool Crew. I'm Pastor Justin, and I'm so glad you're listening today. Last Wednesday, October 8th, we did a longer bonus episode in our series for subscribers called What Should I Do If, and it was the topic of what should I do if I'm being bullied. Because it was such an important topic, we made that episode free for everyone, even if you're not a subscriber. If you haven't listened to it yet, I really encourage you and your family to go check it out. Today we're gonna talk about it again because this topic is so important, and I know some kids are scared of being bullied. So, what if someone is bullying you? Maybe you're about to hop out of the car and in the back of your mind, you're already thinking of that kid who's mean to you, who calls you names, or pushes you around, or makes you feel small. First things first. You do not deserve to be bullied ever, and Jesus cares about what you're going through. I wanna talk about it through this verse, Psalm 34:18: 'The Lord is near the brokenhearted. He saves those crushed in spirit.' If Jesus were sitting next to you right now and you said, 'There's someone at school who's mean to me. I'm scared to see them again,' I think Jesus would look at you seriously and gently and say, 'That should not be happening to you. But you are not weak and you are not alone. I see you, and I see people around you who can help you. I'm with you. You can be strong. Don't believe the lies the bully tells you. Believe me.' Now, real people in the Bible were bullied too. David was made fun of by his own brothers when he showed up to fight Goliath. Joseph was bullied by his older brothers and even sold into slavery. Jesus himself was mocked, spit on, and beaten by people who were afraid of the truth that he brought, the truth of forgiveness, the truth of loving one another. So, while I hope no one out there is being bullied, I know that some of you are. And when you are, Jesus doesn't just understand you. He's been there. He knows how to walk with you through it. So if you are being bullied at school, online, on a sports team, or really anywhere, here's what you need to remember. First, tell an adult. This is so important. Tell a parent. Your parents love you. Tell a teacher or a counselor or a pastor. Now, you're not tattle tailing. You're not gossiping. You are telling the truth so someone can help you. Sometimes we all need help. I remember when I was a freshman in high school, I was being bullied by some other students who were older than me. I didn't know what to do. I talked to my mom and she said to tell a teacher. Well, I did, and it turns out that teacher was the wrestling coach, and he gave me some great advice, but he also talked to those boys, and they took him seriously. Those guys became friends, and I wouldn't have known that if I would've kept it to myself. Don't keep being bullied to yourself. Second, don't fight with fists or mean words. That just puts more fire on the problem. Instead, walk away when you can. Run away when you have to. And use the courage to tell the truth of what's happening to an adult. This is so important, friends. Don't keep it to yourself, and don't try to fight those battles alone. Lastly, remember what Jesus says about you. You are loved. You are made in the image of God. You're made on purpose with a purpose. You're chosen. You are strong. You are not the names a bully calls you. Now, if you're being bullied, say something. If someone else is being bullied, do something. And that might mean going to an adult on their behalf. Parents, check in with your kids. Ask them directly: 'Is anyone at school making you feel small?' Give them the permission to tell the truth without fear. And remember, you are their defender, their comforter. You are a source of courage. Now, parents, if you like this episode, send it to a parent friend. I think the topic of bullying is something that every parent thinks about, but not every parent talks about. Before you go, answer this question together. What's one thing you'd want Jesus to remind you of when someone is being mean to you? I'll see you tomorrow on Carpooling with Jesus.