Recently in my Life Coaching Practice I worked with an individual that was dealing with some lingering effects of a childhood issue. This particular issue had led to a set of behaviors in adulthood that was hindering this person's ability to stand up for themselves in even the simplest matters of their life. Because of that there were missed opportunities professionally, socially and even in relationships. The issue...being the victim of a bully.
Since the beginning of mankind and maybe even further back than that, since it's reported that Lucifer was kicked out of heaven, there have been bullies. People that feel the need to physically, emotionally or verbally put others down in an attempt to lift themselves up. Prior to Cane actually killing Abel he demonstrated a tendency to be a bully. It's very possible that at some point in your life you may have encountered a bully. (I know I have) It could have come wrapped up in the form of a spouse, a parent, a sibling, a boss or a co-worker. Great for you if you haven't and shame on you if you have been or are currently that bully.
Bullying isn't a good thing. It doesn't show strength or even demonstrate toughness. It's a weakness that reveals the coward in that person's character. What exactly is a bully? It's someone that's habitually cruel or overbearing (to the negative), especially to those they may perceive to be smaller or weaker. I would even go further to say, even those the bully may feel is beneath them because of race, social or economic positioning or education. What does a bully do to others? They hurt, persecute or intimidate. How do they bully? By being discouraging and frightening with threats or a domineering manner.
There are things that can happen to a person that sticks with them way past the time that it occurred. A chance encounter on a crowded bus could lead to a change in someones life. There's really no telling or knowing. So when someone is bullied by another, even at a young age, it can leave a lasting affect on that person. As it had for my client.
Life Coaching isn't therapy. It doesn't deal with emotional or psychological issues, it confronts mindsets, paradigms and behavioral patterns that can hinder a person from living the life they truly want to lead. So in assisting my client, we didn't concentrate on the past, we dealt with the present and concentrated on the future.
Bullies come in different shapes and sizes, but when confronted and their power base (fear) is removed, they're nothing more than cowards, pure and simple. Become a victor, not a victim. God did not give us the spirit of fear and no weapon formed against us can prosper. Not even a bully.
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