What did he just say...?

Ben Shapiro has made a name for himself as someone who can stand up to false ideologies and woke talking points. But did you know that he was bullied in high school? In a recent interview he talks about his experience being bullied at school – and I think this actually helps to reveal… that bullying can teach us something biblical!

[Snow-Willow]

My husband was viciously bullied as a kid. The group of bullies that did it made a game and a points system for how much they hurt him or traumatized him. He was a strong Christian though and very much embodied the teachings of Jesus. In fact, after high school, when he ran into one of them again, they apologized to him and he forgave them and got to witness about Jesus.

[tiki]

I have a 14 yo daughter who I started home schooling when she was in the 5th grade. I found out last year that she was bullied in school, and she just never told me. The only reason I found out is because I had noticed a change in her over the years and in one of our discussions, she broke down crying and told me. As a mother, it was like having my heart ripped from me to hear about this and to see how it really damaged her self esteem. Those voices still echo in her mind and I have to keep reminding her "Whose daughter are you?", and " Whose image were you created?" I tell her the creator of all you see, the one who placed the stars and moves the mountains died for you because He loves you that much. She is still dealing with the effects. Parents really need to instill empathy and compassion in their children. We don't need to agree on everything, but we also don't need to be mean when we don't. I pray to Jesus every day for her healing!

[mikewalsh]

Good stuff, Nate. The past bullying thing wasn’t so much an issue for me. I mean, people did attempt it but my usual response was swift and blinding violence. But that’s another story. Right now…at 60 years old, my adversity is quite different. Over the past couple years, I’ve had, for me anyway, the worst circumstances I could have ever imagined. My adult daughter left home and moved across country with her questionable choice of boyfriend. She’s my only child and then quickly thereafter got pregnant and had the only grandchild that I’ll never see. Because of her boyfriend, she no longer speaks to or even communicates at all with me. Then, my wife of 38 years passed away in my arms at home from a lifetime of health conditions. It may sound like a country song but then my dog passed away. I then had only my wife’s service dog, a chihuahua, for company. Needless to say, she became very important to me. I just had to put her down last Saturday and I’ve been a complete mess since then, just like I was after losing my wife and my other dog. And I’m not saying this is uncommon. I know many more people have had much worse things befall them and their families. I’m just weaker than most. I’ve got major depression, chronic migraines and a broken body from decades of hard manual labor and brawling for fun and profit. Listening to you just now confirmed a thought I had just a couple nights ago. It seems to me that the Lord is plucking all my familiar crutches from my life to help/make me understand that I need nothing but Him. These consecutive losses drive me to trust Him more, lean on Him more and go to prayer much more often. Which honestly, has been a problem for me. I came to be a Christian later in my life and had/have many bad life habits because of it. I believe that the Lord is gradually stripping away my old comfortable people and pets to get me to realize that, at 60, it’s time to grow up before He finally takes me Home. You cemented that thought for me today and I’m grateful for it. Thank you, sir. You’re a real blessing to me and, I imagine, many others. God Bless, lad…..

[skyfoil]

It needs to be said Nate that you are an incredibly articulate person who is very skilled at getting a point across quick and concisely. The Lord has blessed you with an incredible gift.

[johnnylong]

I’m a dad of an autistic son. It pains me to even think he may get bullied. I continue to pray for a softened heart and less quick to anger because I had a really bad temper.

[estebanmiguel]

Got picked on a lot as a kid because I stuttered. I’m glad for it as it helped me understand human nature, and was a personal example of how people’s hearts are desperately wicked. Now as an older person, I have utter compassion for those with physical disabilities.

[mikeflores]

I agree. My response to bullying literally put me in the NFL

[Delores-bpln]

Bullying from a young age affects everyone differently. It may make some become tougher but I've known many adults both men & women that it caused them to have a great lack of self confidence, lower opinion of themselves & their abilities. Most never spoke about it to others as they were growing up. Bullying is never good, regardless of what it's about.
There are adult "bullies" also.
I don't believe you should be thankful for being bullied.
If you're a true Christian, born-again, then you are thankful that "God turns to good what satan means for bad, for those that love the Lord." God can use those situations to bring about greater good. He has sovereignty & power over all circumstances.

[isrberlinerin]

I was bullied when when i was in elementary school, but i learned some early lessons from this . After a while i stood up fought back and the bullies stopped and went away . This episode prepared me for real life as a young adult and i always stood up for myself, because i did not have family that could have supported me, i was on my own in a big City in Berlin Germany . I survived may adversities and the victory was mine . After i was Born Again God used me in difficult situations, because He knew i could handle it and the same goes for witnessing to religious catholics and other un-believers . The Holy Spirit is pure power and I'm blessed to have it .

[Paulzor]

It's better to be bullied than to be the bully.

[scottbee]

I was bullied too…. It made me remarkably resilient to attack and abuse. It actually helped me later in life to learn how to deal with it in a professional environment.

[Mela-rssq]

I really needed to hear this message. Ive been through a lot of adversity- I was groomed by my step dad and it left me so bitter and angry. And i struggle so much with pride. So thank you for your message

[mrlacksoriginality]

My brother and friend punched back the bully that was always hitting them. They both were sent to hospital after one punch. MY bother and friend both got suspended. The bullies never bothered them again. Take that as you will.

[fernandoformeloza]

The choices people make in crisis determines who they become in life

[AlexCPauwels]

As a mom this segment of the interview stuck with me because my 8 year old son is being bullied and rejected by his classmates and I have been wondering on how can I help him navigate this, what lessons can he learn and how to find solitude and strengthen his identity though this while keeping his heart filled with compassion, forgiveness and fortitude.

[PettyCrow-nc]

I think the reality is that, as fathers we have to realize that almost every moment is a teachable moment for a kid.

[christophertaylor]

I agree completely. Bullying sucks and is mean, it should stop but its hardly the worst thing you could experience.

[HandlesAreStupid]

I got picked on as a kid, I am sure most of us did. Did it suck? yes. Did I learn what my actions towards other people would have been like if I did the same thing? Also yes.

[whosgeno]

I can definitely relate. I was bullied in the 3rd grade then severely bullied in the 7-9 grade for being fat. I hated it, it made going to school miserable but looking back I would definitely say it made me stronger and motivated me to get in great shape at the time, even if to just shut people up

[tanjasmit]

Yes.... totally with you... teach your kids to stand up for themselves...
I can totally relate AND I taught my son how to handle bullies....his 24 today, and I couldn't be prouder....doing karate from the age of 7 till 18 and getting his black belt help him a lot....today he is disciplined and well adjusted
From SA 👌🏼🇿🇦💪🏼