When You’re the One Being Bullied
Being bullied can feel like slow, invisible soul damage. The words may not leave bruises, but they leave scars. Whether it’s mockery, exclusion, gossip, or intimidation, bullying can steal your peace, shake your confidence, and make you question your worth. But what others try to tear down, God is able to rebuild. This post is for you, the one who’s been on the receiving end of cruelty. You are not weak, and you are not alone. Bullying hurts because you were made to be loved. God created you with inherent worth, dignity, and purpose. He made you in His very image.
“I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made.”
- Psalm 139:14
“Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness….”
-Genesis 1:26
When someone mocks or mistreats you, it violates that design. Their words may feel like truth in the moment, but they are lies. Lies that must be fought with truth, not just emotional strength, but biblical identity. Scientific research has shown that chronic bullying or emotional abuse can cause measurable changes in the brain and body:
· Elevated cortisol (the stress hormone), leading to anxiety, fatigue, and immune problems
· Overactive amygdala, which heightens fear and emotional reactivity
· Weakened prefrontal cortex, reducing focus, confidence, and decision-making
· Decreased self-esteem and safety, making healthy relationships harder
· Increased risk of depression and hopelessness
But here’s the good news: your brain can heal. Your soul can heal. And God can restore it all. God sees every moment you’ve been hurt. Every cruel word. Every time you’ve been overlooked, laughed at, or lied about.
“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”
— Psalm 34:18
“Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.”
— 1 Peter 3:9
“Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.”
— Matthew 5:11
These verses aren’t asking you to pretend the pain didn’t happen. They’re reminding you that God fights for the hurting and honors those who choose forgiveness, even when they’ve been wronged. Here’s the truth: You can’t control others’ actions—but you can choose how to guard your soul and respond in a way that brings healing instead of more harm.
1. Don’t believe the lies.
Bullies often project their own insecurity onto others. What they say isn’t a reflection of your worth; it’s a reflection of their wound.
“You are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus…” (Ephesians 2:10)
2. Speak truth over yourself.
When the insults echo in your mind, drown them out with God’s Word. Declare it out loud if you have to.
“God has not given me a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind.” (2 Timothy 1:7)
3. Talk to someone safe.
You were never meant to carry this alone. Talk to a trusted adult, counselor, teacher, or youth leader.
“Carry one another’s burdens…” (Galatians 6:2)
4. Pray for protection and healing.
Ask God to heal the places in your soul where wounds have formed. He is gentle, and He restores what people try to destroy.
“He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” (Psalm 147:3)
5. Don’t let bitterness take root.
Bitterness keeps you chained to the bully long after they’ve spoken. Forgiveness isn’t weakness; it’s your freedom.
“Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” (Colossians 3:13)
If you’re hurting, please hear this: Your life is not defined by your pain. It’s defined by your purpose. Your wounds can become places where God plants healing—not just for you, but for others too. So, hold on. Stay close to Him. Let others in. And don’t believe for a moment that this is the end of your story. God is still writing it—and it’s going to be good.
“He will wipe every tear from their eyes…”
— Revelation 21:4
Neuroscience confirms what the Bible has said for thousands of years: kindness, hope, and love transform us.
· Acts of kindness release dopamine and oxytocin, which reduce stress and improve mood.
· Prayer and gratitude increase resilience and emotional stability.
· Scripture meditation strengthens brain circuits associated with hope and identity.
Your neural pathways can be rewired, your heart can be strengthened, and your joy can return. And when it feels like no one sees, remember God sees. He knows what was said behind your back. He heard the laughter at your expense. And He is not indifferent.
“The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.”
— Exodus 14:14
In Scripture, God consistently defends the oppressed, the outcast, and the mistreated. He does not overlook suffering. He responds to it with justice and mercy. The world may mock, but Heaven speaks a different word over you:Beloved. Chosen. Strong. Redeemed. One of the most comforting, and sobering, truths in Scripture is that God sees everything, and every person will give an account for their words and actions.
“But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken.”
— Matthew 12:36
“Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.”
— Hebrews 4:13
This doesn’t mean we should live in fear of punishment, but it does mean we live with a holy reverence for a God who is both loving and just. The fear of the Lord is not terror of God; it is a deep respect, an awareness that He is holy, righteous, and all-knowing. It means understanding that:
· He is watching.
· He is just.
· He will right every wrong in His time.
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.”
— Proverbs 9:10
For those who have been hurt, this is a source of hope: you don’t need to seek revenge, because God will deal with it. For those who have done harm, it’s a call to repentance because nothing is hidden from Him. You are more than what was said about you and more than what was done to you.
“No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.”
— Romans 8:37
And above all, trust this:
“He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain...”
— Revelation 21:4
God sees. God cares. God defends. God restores. God wastes nothing, not even this. It may feel like the pain will never end. The humiliation, the tears, the shame and it can feel like you’re stuck in something too heavy to carry. But that is not who God is.
“And we know that in all things, God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”
— Romans 8:28
All things include the worst things. Even bullying. Even betrayal. Even rejection. God does not cause the evil done to you, but He will never let it be wasted.
He can turn your story of being bullied into:
· A testimony of healing
· A ministry of compassion
· A passion for justice
· Greater empathy and emotional strength
· A deeper relationship with Jesus
God doesn’t leave His children. He walks with us through the valley (Psalm 23:4) and brings us out stronger, softer, and full of His Spirit. What the enemy meant for evil, God can turn for good (Genesis 50:20).
References
Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. (n.d.). Human Flourishing Program. Retrieved September 5, 2025, from https://hsph.harvard.edu/research/vanderweele-group/human-flourishing-program/
New International Bible. (2011). Zondervan. (Original work published 1978)
