No one likes a bully, but let’s take a step back and discuss a type of bullying that never gets talked about. Have you ever thought for a moment that maybe YOU bully you? Self-bullying is a demoralizing behavior that has to stop. It’s way easier to bully ourselves then to bully those that you care about. We are told at a young age to treat others how you would want to be treated so why can’t we treat ourselves with grace? Since you are your own bully there is no one to intervene, so we allow ourselves to constantly take the name calling and criticism. Why do we think it is okay to feed ourselves so many lies that push us to our breaking point? It’s not okay. We are constantly calling ourselves ugly, fat, stupid, annoying, and worthless. Toxic thoughts are so powerful and we can’t keep allowing them to control our lives.
Self-bullying is rooted in the idea that we aren’t good enough. There is always someone that we are trying to act like or look like and we base our intelligence off of a letter grade at the top of a piece of paper. We get upset when we step on the scale or look at ourselves in the mirror. The more we criticize every mistake we make and try to be like someone that we are not,
the more we lose our value and self-worth. Imagine what all of this constant attacking is doing to your self-esteem. Most of us don’t want to intentionally bully ourselves but it becomes a habit and we cycle through the same negative and self-sabotaging thoughts, day after day. We are all flawed humans that will never be perfect so we need to take our God-given qualities and let those define us.
There are so many times when I feel worthless and not good enough. Every time I feel this way I have to ask myself, “Where did I hear that? Did someone say that to me?” The truth is, those degrading comments came from me. It became a habit for me to call myself fat, annoying, and worthless. Would you ever call your friend those things? The answer is no, so take the time to notice all of the self-defeating things you say to yourself and replace them with positive things that truly define who you are. Having self-love is way better than constantly drowning in the lies that consume us. There is no need for you to bully you. Give yourself some grace.
“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is–his good, pleasing and perfect will.” Romans 12:2
Written By: Christine Sisk
