I grew up in St. Catharines, ON—a place that, at the time, felt very small in more ways than one. It was a world of sameness, where faces and traditions rarely strayed from a single mold. And then there was me—the only brown girl in my public school, one of just a handful of students of colour in my high school. For some, I was a curiosity, someone different and interesting. But for others, I was simply other.

And for one boy, I was a target.

His name was Brett. Every day after school, he would chase me home, hurling slurs like “black widow spider” and “paki” with a cruel delight. His words cut deep, but it was the fear he instilled in me that stayed the longest. Would he have actually hurt me? I don’t know, and I never wanted to find out. He never said those things when I was in a group, but his silent glares, the whispered insults as he passed by, were just as chilling. And when he caught me alone, the taunts became louder, sharper—impossible to ignore.

So why am I telling you this?

As I listened to the news this morning and heard about the continued threats to Canada by the president of the United States, I had the same visceral response. That old pit in my stomach, that sense of dread and helplessness, resurfaced. It triggered the memory of my childhood bully.

What do you do when you feel threatened?

When it came to Brett, I finally told my mom. And my mom told Brett’s mom. And Brett stopped. But I had endured years of torment before I had the courage to say something. I had lived with it privately because I was embarrassed that someone would think such awful things about me. I didn’t want people to know because I feared they might think those things too.

But what do you do when your mom, as great as she is, can’t do anything about the threat? What do you do when the fear is bigger than a schoolyard bully—when it comes from a powerful leader, a shifting culture, or an uncertain future?

Here’s what I’ve learned:

Turn to God in Prayer
When we feel powerless, we must remember that we serve an all-powerful God. The Bible tells us, “Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7). God sees our fears, our struggles, and our pain, and He invites us to lay them at His feet.
Claim God's Protection and Presence
Fear thrives in isolation, but we are never truly alone. Psalm 46:1 reminds us, “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” Just as my bully waited until I was alone to attack, the enemy of our souls loves to prey on our solitude. But God is with us, even when we feel alone.
Remember Your Worth in Christ
The words of a bully, whether a childhood tormentor or a powerful leader, do not define us. We are defined by who God says we are: “Fearfully and wonderfully made” (Psalm 139:14), “God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works” (Ephesians 2:10). When we remember that we are loved, chosen, and precious in His sight, the lies of the world lose their sting.
Stand in Faith, Not Fear
There will always be bullies—people who seek to intimidate, control, or belittle. But fear does not have to rule us. Isaiah 41:10 says, “Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” When we trust in God’s power over any earthly force, we can walk forward with confidence.
Find Strength in Community
One of the most powerful ways to combat fear is to surround yourself with people who uplift and encourage you. Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 reminds us, “Two are better than one… If either of them falls down, one can help the other up.”If you are struggling with fear, anxiety, or the words of others, do not suffer in silence. Reach out to trusted friends, your church community, or a mentor who can remind you of God’s truth.

If you’ve ever been bullied—whether in childhood, in the workplace, or in society—you know the pain and anxiety that comes with it. But you don’t have to live in fear. God is bigger than any bully, stronger than any threat, and faithful to His promises.

So today, if you feel that pit in your stomach, if anxiety threatens to overwhelm you, take a deep breath and turn to the One who holds the universe in His hands. He sees you. He loves you. And He is your refuge.

“The Lord is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid?” (Psalm 27:1).

You are not alone, dear friend. Stand firm in His love, and let His peace guard your heart.