Overcoming Victimhood #1 of 2
Excerpt taken from book Overcomers, A Study on Gaining Victory Over the Obstacles in Life by Jeffrey Bush
Although there are many horrible evils in our world, it has become acceptable and even popular to take on the attitude of being a victim. The problem with being a victim is that many people become immobile or paralyzed, not believing they can ever overcome what has happened to them. God’s children are victors, not victims! You can overcome what has happened to you. You do not have to stay defeated or allow a bad event or hurtful memory to bind you. Here are a few truths to help you as you strive to overcome the bad things that happened to you in your life.
You’re not alone.
John 16:33 says that in this world you will have tribulation. That doesn’t seem like good news until you come to the end of the verse, where our Lord says we can be of good cheer because He has overcome the world. When God’s Word is our source of information and instruction, it changes the way we look at things. We were never promised we would be happy, healthy, and wealthy. That’s like the lie the devil told Eve, saying God didn’t really want her to be happy. If God’s plan is for you to be happy, then there’s nothing wrong with stealing money to have more, leaving your spouse because you like someone else, or any number of other excuses for selfish pleasures. God gives us joys, but God also allows trials. Don’t buy into the idea that if you have problems, God doesn’t love you.
Does it anchor or fuel you?
Everyone must decide if they’re going to allow their past, their problems, or their struggles to be an anchor that holds them down or a fuel that thrusts them forward. What has driven some to depression, bitterness, or excuses to why they cannot continue has been allowed of others to become the motivation that pushes them forward to prosper. Yes, it’s true that some people have been given opportunities and open doors have been handed to them, but that doesn’t mean it’s impossible for you. You can decide to put in double the effort, pray, and work towards the goal. With determination and hard work, it is possible to catch up and even pass the “privileged” person. Some of the greatest leaders of our time have risen from poverty, abuse, a bad home life, or little education. What was the perfect excuse for some to be immobile has been the exact reason others have become better. You must decide to let God use your past or current circumstances to do more, not do less.
Accept your past and thank God.
Hating your past, blaming others, or harboring bitterness, will never let you properly move forward in life. Whether your past is that of abuse, mistreatment, poverty, or any sort of bad experiences, you must learn to accept it. Blaming God or others will not change your past, it will only make you feel worse. Fighting or dwelling on your difficulties will not free you, but rather enslave you to a deeper self-pity.
Read the attitude of David in Psalms 16:5-6: “The Lord is the portion of mine inheritance and of my cup: thou maintainest my lot. The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places; yea, I have a goodly heritage.” He says that what God had given him was not just good, it was an admirable portion or possession. But even more amazing is that he did not write this when he was living in the palace eating grapes and lying in a king-sized bed. He wrote this when he was living in a cave, sleeping on the ground without his family, and being mistreated by his own countrymen. He wrote this when he was on the run from a mad and jealous king who wanted to kill him. It was at this moment, when others would’ve been crying in bitterness towards God for such a horrible life, that David said, “thank you” to God. He didn’t just accept what God had given him, he actually thanked God for it.
Theoretically, everyone knows you are to give thanks in everything (1 Thessalonians 5:18) and be joyful even in trials (James 1:3), but it’s easier to know than it is to put it into practice. If God has allowed or is allowing you to go through hard times, maybe He wants to use it so you can help others. Accept what God has placed in your life, thank Him, and let Him use it for His glory.
To be continued ...