Victim or Victor. Which Are You?

I want you to stop and think about a recent crisis moment you’ve had. What happened? A crisis moment is where things change. Your path goes one way – or another. This is the exact moment you decide if you will be a “victim” or “victor!” So, which are you?

Victim Or Victor

To better understand this content, let’s begin with dictionary definitions for victim:

• a person harmed, injured, deceived, cheated, or killed as a result of a crime, accident, or other event or action.
• An outcome because of war or crime.

 

Now, definitions for victor:

• An overcomer.
• A conqueror.
• Or a winner.

 

Still, the question remains – “victim” or “victor!” Which are you?

Millions of people have wrestled with this juxtaposition through centuries. “Am I a victim, or victor?” There have been plenty of answers – some of them quite pathetic, while others rather brilliant. I find the most credible answer straight from Scripture.

Because God is compassionate and solution-oriented, He wants you to succeed with a “victorious” life. Let’s explore God’s help in this material.

Receiving God’s help starts with your honest evaluation. In your daily details, how do you mark yourself – victim or victor? By this, I mean trusting God for everything –

• Troubles.
• Unending challenges.
• Feeling empty.
• Discouragement.
• Feeling trapped by habits and patterns.
• Frustration over others.
• Sadness over failures.
• Being lonely.
• Depression.
• And so on.

 

Those life realities force choices. All people live on a human plain where It’s Your Move. How do you typically make your move? Do you have hope for a good path?

Is It “IM” or “OR”

Just as it helps to take a step back and logically engage facts when solving a problem, it helps to take a step back and look at words. Sometimes, even helpful word games give you an “edge” in perspective. Often, little gimmicks can help you remember action steps better.

Here’s an example of a word game with “victim” and “victor.”

The words start identically with “vict,” right? But look at the ending of each word. That’s where the difference shows. And this difference sets a completely different path in front of you. The question is – will “vict” end in  “IM” or “OR” for you? It’s your decision.

Let’s start with “IM.”

“IM”

Notice that “I” is central in IM. However, when the focus is on “I,” that’s when the trouble begins. Some folks think if you “look inside yourself, identify your process and feelings, take care of you, and express what you think” – you’ll get your answers.

Although I think there’s value in those endeavors (I am a counselor!), I disagree with the focus on self (“I”) as a place for healthy answers.

Keeping “self” in your focus is a sure path to destruction. God wants you to succeed. He says, ” ‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’ ”  (Jer. 29:11 – a favorite of many Jesus followers.)

God wants you to know you are very important to Him. He also says, “I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness.” (Jer. 31:3) So, in your crisis moments, God is with you.

BUT –

Focus matters! It’s a main point in a recent article – A Calm Strength. Here’s a quote from it:  

“Self-focus is endless struggle in life . . . While self-focus is an unhealthy life power, God-focus is a continual, bountiful supply that changes everything: you, the other guy, nations, and the world. Instead of taking up self-focus, take up God-focus.“

When you put “I” in the center of things, you do eventually become a VictIM.

“OR”

You don’t have to be locked into “IM.” Why? Because you can choose to either live for yourself – OR – you can live for God. This shift from self to Him is exactly what makes the difference between “victim” and “victor.” This slight shift of ending letters is simple, yet critical. It changes everything! 

Instead of focus on “I,” shift your focus to “I AM!” Just a tweek of letters and capitalization makes all the difference in the world! No longer do you need to worry about yourself. God will take care of you. Answers come when you – ” . . . cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.” (1 Pet. 5:7)

God wants His people to get rid of energy-sucking practices of looking inward. He wants you to look to Him.

Consequently, this little word game is yielding some value. God-focus changes things:

• • Troubles.
  • Unending challenges.
  • Feeling empty.
  • Discouragement.
  • Feeling trapped by habits and patterns.
  • Frustration over others.
  • Sadness over failures.
  • Being lonely.
  • Depression.

. . . TO . . .

Being encouraged and empowered to live a healthy life.

 

When you put “I AM” (one of God’s names) in the center of things, you become a VictOR.

Transformation From VictIM Into VictOR

When you adopt this perspective, BIG THINGS change – a little each day . . . yet – in a big way. You are transformed from victIM into victOR as you focus on God instead of self. Trusting yourself to God – who loves you with everlasting love – means you choose to see crisis moments differently.

 

 

Picture by Desiring God

 

Victim Or Victor Scriptures

• “But You, God, see the trouble of the afflicted; You consider their grief and take it in hand. The victims commit themselves to You – the Helper of the fatherless.” (Ps. 10:14) After applying the promise of this verse, you are transformed from a Victim to a Victor.
• Since there are many Scriptures about victory you have in Christ and how to be victorious, why not open your Bible and engage a word study? You’ll find promises to claim.

 

Juxtaposition

1. An act or instance of placing close together – side by side, especially for comparison or contrast.
2. The state of being close together or side by side.

 

We’ve explored that people compare and contrast “victim” or “victor” – often without thinking. Then they apply either healthy or unhealthy (dysfunctional) choices.

But what we haven’t looked at yet is the second definition of juxtaposition. “The state of being close together or side by side.”

Consequently, this definition is a key to flipping from “victim” to “victor.” Simply put – to partner with God by being close to Him side by side in faith is a launch into success. This puts you on the path God intended for your life. It’s why Jesus became your human “connect point” to God. Jesus is the side-by-side that brings you close to God.

Connect Point

Explore how to connect with God in daily situations (even if you’re a seasoned Jesus follower):

• Accept God’s invitation. God invites you back into relationship with Himself.
  • 1. Acts 16:31 gives an “easy-to-follow” invitation for eternal life – “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.”
    2. However, His saving gets even better! For daily help in life details, connect with God through His promise. “. . . wisdom and knowledge will be given you.” (2 Chron. 1:12) This is God’s invitation – “Ask for whatever you want Me to give you.” (2 Chron. 1:7)
    3. Another “easy-to-follow” invitation when life gets tiring and hard – “Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” (Mt. 11:28) 
• Your Own Pursuit. Jer. 29:13 says, “You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all your heart.” You have something to do with this. You need to pro-actively connect with God.
• Receiving Instruction. I’ll say it again – Get Into God’s Word: Even With A Super Busy Life! So receive from God’s Word. Then receive instruction from other credible Jesus followers. 

 

I leave you with a Chuck Swindoll quote. “We are all faced with a series of great opportunities brilliantly disguised as impossible situations.” So, think about “great opportunities brilliantly disguised as impossible situations” in your crisis moments. You can go one way – or the other.

Application Thoughts And Questions

1. Are you a victim or victor?
2. Do you believe God loves you and wants you to succeed?
3. Have you followed Scripture to connect with God?
4. What do you need to change to be healthy in Christ?
5. Are you coming side by side to Jesus by faith – your “connect point” to God?

 

For practical help and strategies in crisis moments, check out It’s Your Move.

 

 

 

 

 

For action steps and encouragement to study God’s Word, check out How To Effectively Get Into God’s Word: Even With A Super Busy Life.

 

 

 

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