"I don't think people know how much their words can hurt others"
Avery's biggest obstacle to overcome started when she was 14 years old...
I was bullied all throughout middle school and high school. Any time I posted in a crop top or bathing suit I got called a whore, wanna be model, ugly, fat, big nose, big head, better be glad I'm cute because I sure am stupid... I could go on and on but you get the point.
One day I posted a picture on Instagram in a crop top in the snow with the caption "Baby it's cold outside". I got the idea from a beautiful surfer that I follow but she was wearing a bikini in the snow. I knew if I posted in a bikini I would for sure get some hate so I thought I did good by wearing a crop top.
I got over one hundred comments on that post calling me a whore and other mean things. I got a ton of subtweets on twitter. I even had people telling me that I better watch out when I come to school. These were all from people who I have never even spoken to. I cried and begged my parents to take me out of school. A few months passed and it got worse. People started posting on an app called Burn Book.
They posted nudes of other girls saying it was me and a lot of other hateful things. My parents even had to get the police involved but there was nothing they could do. I was so depressed and cried myself to sleep at night. I had no friends and a lot of days I called my mom crying, begging her to check me out of school.
Some people say that high school was the best days of their lives, but that was NOT my experience. I don't think people know how much their words can hurt others. This experience has molded me into the person I am today. At the time I did not understand why me, but now I am grateful because it has given me the opportunity to help others who are going through same thing.
Avery's biggest inspiration is...
My biggest inspiration is Jesus! He went through many trials. His own friends turned their back on Him. He was made fun of and He always responded with love and kindness. I want to be like Jesus and show others love and build others up. "Be the one who nurtures and builds. Be the one who has an understanding and forgiving heart. Leave people better than you found them."
Avery's biggest accomplishment is...
My biggest accomplishment would be being able to share my story with others. If the bullies took back the pain they caused I would lose the strength that I gained. Your most effective ministry will come out of your deepest hurt. I was able to share my story with others going through the same thing I was. I had many people message me telling me how my story helped them.
Some people say you should be quiet and mind your own business and not say anything, but Proverbs 31:8 says, "Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves; insure justice for those being crushed." God's calling on our lives is not a call to a tower to look down on everyone else, it's a call to the trenches to help others win the fight.
Written by Avery Hunter
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