HOW TO HANDLE A BULLY

Dear Miss Virtue, Amy has been my friend since kindergarten and we are now in the 10th grade. She doesn't have many friends and struggles to fit in. The girls I hang out with give her a hard time because she is different. Another friend Sara is very harsh with Amy and constantly picks on her about her clothes and her hair. One time it got so bad that Amy ran off in tears. I think Sara's bullying is wrong but I'm afraid if I say anything then I will lose all my other friends. I prayed for God to fix it but nothing has changed. What should I do?
JH, wanting to keep the peace



Dear JH, wanting to keep the peace

Miss Virtue understands that you are in a delicate situation. It is important to also understand that bullying is a very serious matter that could lead to serious consequences. Often when girls bully they are trying to control or intimidate others. Your comment "I'm afraid" in your question tells me that Sara has been successful in her bullying.

Sometimes you must confront a bully, like David did Goliath. Even though as a teenager he had to face a nine foot tall giant, David was brave enough to do the right thing knowing that God was with him. Other times however parents, teachers, or authorities, may have to intervene. Jesus, Himself, intervened on behalf of early Christians when a terrorist by the name of Saul of Tarsus went seeking out Christians to imprison or even kill them just because they didn't believe
as he did.

It is always good to tell your parents about bullying whether it is you or someone you know. You are off to a good start by praying to God, because when you do so He will give you the direction you should go and how each situation should be handled.