victim: noun 1. a person harmed, injured, or killed as a result of a crime, accident, or other event or action; 2. a person who is tricked or duped, “the victim of a hoax”
victor: noun 1. a person who defeats an enemy or opponent in a battle, game, or competition
Last week I wrote about Moses and Mount Sinai and the contrast between “going around the mountain umpteen times” VS. “standing at Mount Calvary and living a victorious life.” After I wrote that piece I began thinking about a victim mentality and a victor mentality. I am not going to say Moses had a victim’s mentality – although he did complain about the people God gave him to deal with! Remember?
So Moses said to the Lord, “Why have you afflicted your servant? And why have I not found favor in Your sight, that You have laid the burden of all these people on me? Did I conceive all these people? Did I beget them, that You should say to me, ‘Carry them in your bosom, as a guardian carries a nursing child,’ to the land which You solemnly promised to their fathers? Where am I to get meat to give to all these people? For they weep all over me, saying, ‘Give us meat, that we may eat.’ I am not able to bear all these people alone, because the burden is too heavy for me. If You treat me like this, please kill me here and now — if I have found favor in Your sight — and do not let me see my wretchedness!” Numbers 11.11-15
Those Israelites were rascals – they grumbled, complained, whined, sinned, stole, disobeyed and to top it all off? They said they should never have left Egypt! Moses was chosen by God — of that there is no doubt — but he definitely had his hands full. Maybe once or twice or three times he took on the victim hat but all in all he was God’s man for the hour. And, let’s not forget…Moses never saw for himself the victory of The Promised Land.
Let’s talk about ME – shall we? I pretty much know all the promises in God’s Word. I know a lot of powerful scriptures by memory. I know what to say to (almost) any issue or emotional crises BUT there are times, and more often than I care to confess, that I walk around with a victim attitude. “Poor me and bless my heart already.”
SHAME ON ME.
I am a child of God. A daughter of The King. I am blood-bought, Spirit-filled, and sanctified holy by the promises of His Word. And yet.
There are times I am duped by the enemy and to what extent I allow it, I render myself victimized and that is just wrong. WRONG.
I want to walk in Victory. I want to wear the Victor’s crown. I have the power to defeat and crush the enemy in these spiritual battles.
I am a victor because I belong to the Victor of all time – Jesus Christ.
I am a victor because I hold the sword of The Spirit in my hand.
I am a victor in Christ.
If you are too? Say it with me…
I am a victor in Christ.
This week I’ll be linking up with Inspire Me Monday, Tea and Word, Porch Stories, Coffee for Your Heart, Jennifer Dukes Lee, God-Sized Dreams, Tune In Thursday, Dance With Jesus, Fresh Market Friday, Glimpses of His Beauty, Salt and Light, Heart Encouragement, Thought-Provoking Thursday, Grace and Truth, Faith-Filled Friday, Seeking God, Glimpses of His Beauty.
You are a victor! PS: My son and daughter in love graduated from Emory and Henry.
XO
REALLY? We must talk.
I far too often fall into victim mentality. I’ve had a lot of growth in this area but there is still more room to move forward :). Thanks for this reminder, Susan. We are absolute victors as daughters of the King. What a great place to be.
The BEST place and position to be in, Candace – so good to see you here.
Praying for you, Susan.
And going to meet with Gayl today. We’ll be sure to talk about you and say ALLL good things. . .
Michele – so funny, I just sent you an email!!!!!
I think many, including myself, have made bad choices in early years. I have asked forgiveness and I know God has listened. We can only move forward with the help from our Lord and Savior. One step in front of the other. We are all prone to the enemy.
And we can fight him. GIRLS WITH SWORDS!
Absolutely love this, Susan. Especially because it mirrors words my husband spoke to me not so long ago. I too struggle with that very unbiblical mentality. As I complained about my struggle as a Mom, my husband said something to the effect of: “Anna, you are no victim. You are capable of change.” Wow! That sure sliced through the enemy’s schemes .
And he is an unbeliever- but yet again God showed me who is the Head of our Home- He is. Ever since I have claimed that Promise in our home, I am noticing my (unbelieving but made holy in my belief) husband speak God’s Word to me. God truly does reward those who earnestly seek Him (through His Word ). Best decision ever last year- giving up Facebook, Twitter and Instagram and investing in my marriage, my kids and above all time listening to God rather than man . And even with the new (team) blog- I’m not going to go back to the social media frenzy- trusting God to send who He wants to be encouraged at the blog our way. After all- I am more than an overcomer in Christ Jesus, a victor in Him who provides, sustains and leads . Thanks for reminding me of that.
Anna, I appreciate and love this long, thoughtful comment. Your new blog platform is perfect. xo
Oh girl, I am right there with you. I get stuck in a rut, feeling sorry for myself, and forget to claim the victory that Christ already purchased for me.
Barbie, we could be sisters from other mothers…xo
Thanks for reminding us of all the ways we are victors through Christ, Susan. It’s so easy to forget, especially when life is harsh and unrelenting. But that’s when we need to remember it the most!
Amen, Beth, amen.
Susan,
Your words are reminding me of a beautiful song from the 70s by Janny Grein, based on the Scripture, “We’ve Been Made More Than Conquerors.” I just had to go listen to it again, after reading your post. Jesus’ blood truly does make us victorious in His Name!
Truly it does. Thank You for the cross, Lord.
The truth is hard to hear/read. Just this past week I cried over … Yes, there’s stuff happening BUT that being said there was NO reason to cry. No real reason. Hadn’t felt sorry for myself in a long time. It’s a hateful place to find one’s self. We ARE Victors in Christ Jesus. HE has established, settled us. We ARE complete in Him. If and when we begin to ponder otherwise we’re allowing our feelings to control us rather than the true Word of the LORD. It’s pointed but loving posts like this (and other means as well) like this that requires we look at ourselves in God’s mirror. Thanks Sus. You hit the mark again.
Iron sharpens iron…is that a scripture? 😉
Oh, me too, Susan! I don’t think of myself as having a victim mentality but sometimes when I’m wearied or tried I get selfish and that’s the hat I pick! Thankful we are victors in Christ instead! Great reminder!
Bethany, that’s when he dupes us – when we are tired or weary. He is such a bum.
I can beat any man in any land at any game that he can name, for any amount than he can count.
I’ve walked through Hell. Got a tan.
And when the boogeyman goes to sleep at night, he checks under the bed to make sure I’m not hiding there.
HE AIN’T GONNA DUPE YOU, is he Andrew? My hero!!
Susan, you honour me beyond words.
I think we all have those seasons. The difference, I have found is whether we continue to keep putting one foot in front of just lay down and heap more misery on ourselves. My attitude often needs adjusted, but my feet continue moving.
Good way to put it, Melissa.
The enemy can be so sneaky. But I’m so glad that the truth always finds a way! Always wins!
Truth always will!
Such a great post, Susan! I’m one to fall into the victim trap because somehow I believe the lies over God’s truth. But God is good to remind me when I fall off the wagon.
Thank you for these words today!
There’s a lot of company in this group!!! Thanks, Mary.
Are we too old to be duped?? Guess not. I fell in a shallow ditch a couple times – just today! Yet God, But God, Still God. Loves me enough to pull me out and let me think about how good He is and tell another one over dinner. And breakfast. (I ate too much today but w/ two young gals so it was worth it.)
Never too old for that slimy, pimply, ugly duper. But, we are ARMED & DANGEROUS.
I believe we all feel like this, and feel sorry for ourselves. That’s when we have to get up and shake it off, put our armor back on grab our Sword and say Our Lord word over us and our situations. Yes! It’s hard but we can do this!
YES, WE CAN and WE SHALL.
Hi, Susan, thank you for reminding us of the power of attitude. Several family members have chronic victim mentalities; it’s so easy to get sucked into it. Naming and claiming God’s promises of our membership into His family go a long way to validate and uplift.
Alice, attitude has SO much to do with it, doesn’t it?
I find myself here too. It’s a back and forth at times but the voice of truth wins at the end of the day. How much more filled would I be though if I let him win through the middle of the day? It is a lesson I seem to relearn a lot. I love the visual of the difference between going around the mountain and being at the foot of Calvary…wow.
Megs, truth, eh? I appreciate YOU so much.