Victim or victor...

If you are allowing someone to make you angry, you have given them the key to conquer your soul: take it back!  When we are able to deflect anger and bitterness in response to offense, we are living the peace that comes from God: He is in control, He will judge, and His banner is over me.  

Maybe you can relate with this, maybe this is a fair proposal for depression:  Depression is the conflict within, when I was not submitted  to God and clear in my vision, when I was deflecting my discomfort and blaming those around me as if I had no power.

What lead you into this place of struggle?  May I suggest a victim mentality: one of the many poisons Satan offers the wounded.

Are you struggling to connect with others?  Do you think you might get hurt if you get too close?  This could mean you have a tendency to submit to others, and whether you know their expectations or not, that unrest is because you've given the wrong one lordship and power over us.  It is the doubt and fear that is of the Enemy.

I encourage you to examine where you're struggling in your:

• Romantic relationship

• Friendships

• Family roles

• Boundaries with others

Satan will show up in the un-intending but willing souls of those around us (as well as the intentional),  making us doubt ourselves, our call, and the power God gives us to do His will.   We will find faults, dig up the past and take on the cloak of shame that debilitates us when we don't see ourselves as God sees us.  When we find ourselves blaming others for the condition of our heart and the position of our lives, we have fallen into victim mentality instead of Godly victory.  

When we find ourselves blaming others for the condition of our heart and the position of our lives, we have fallen into victim mentality instead of Godly victory.

Have you ever thought:  

• "If my husband would just treat me right, I wouldn't be so... overweight, unhappy, manipulative..."
• "If my family were less controlling, argumentative, negative, I wouldn't be so... irritable, stuck..."
• "If I had more support, I could..."
• "If I had a better job, or boss, or...."
• "If everybody would just live like they are supposed to (or just listen to me!), everything would work out..."

The trap of victimization is that we:

1.  Notice others' sins but not our own

2.  Excuse ourselves and paralyze growth, saying, "This is just the way I've always been.  It's in my blood.  It's the way I'm wired.  I'll never be good enough.  People like me..."

3.  Accept rejection, reject others and self-reject.

Even though we worship, tithe, pray, and read the word, we are not accepting what He says as the truth that transforms.

 Whether by blaming others, excusing ourselves, or speaking condemnation, we render ourselves powerless to change: victims.  Victimization is deadly.  It is Satan's desire to lie, steal, destroy, and kill, and the moment you accept that seed that says "get angry, you are a victim" he is able to do in and through you the destruction that spreads like cancer to those around us.  We are separated from God.  Even though we worship, tithe, and read the word, we are not accepting it as the truth that transforms.  We are living "stuck".  

When we recognize God has all the victories, even ours, we will begin to live in the hope that transforms:  we are responsible, we can, and we will live out His call for our lives, which is good and for our benefit.  There is no weapon formed against us that will prosper.  When you start to believe and live this way His Word will flow like a fountain over you, and you will experience the power of the Holy Spirit in you!

When you recognize God has all the victories, you will experience transformation.  His Word will flow like a fountain over you, and you will experience the power of the Holy Spirit in you!

Take some time to speak these scriptures out loud and in prayer and thanksgiving back to your Heavenly Father:

Deuteronomy 20:3-4 - Do not be fainthearted or afraid; do not be terrified or give way to panic before them.  For the Lord your God is He who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies, to give you the victory.’

1 Corinthians 15:56-58 - The Sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law.  But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.  Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm.  Let nothing move you.  Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.

Philippians 4:11-13 - I have learned to be content (not complacent) whatever the circumstances.  I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty.  I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.  I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

John 16:33 - I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

1 Corinthians 10:13 - No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and He will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation He will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.

Psalm 108:13 - With God we shall do valiantly; it is He who will tread down our foes.

James 1:12-14 - Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love Him. Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and He Himself tempts no one. But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire.

2 Corinthians 12:9-10 - But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Romans 8:35, 37-39 - Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?  Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?  No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

1 John 5:4 - For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.

John 8:12 - Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, "I am the light of the world.  If you follow Me, you won't have to walk in the darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.  

Pray with me:  Lord, thank you for revealing to me the seeds of Satan I've allowed to take root in me.  Lord I will stop watering them now.  I declare them dead.  I trust you to uproot them and plant Your Word that is truth, even about me!  Thank  You Lord, that You have good plans for me, that are already written to be testimony of your grace, power, and victory!  Thank you for the restoration of relationships I thought were falling apart, that you are revealing to me the purpose you have for our marriage, for our family, for this life that is blessed in You.  You are so good, God!  I trust you!  I trust You!  I trust You!  You are Holy, and Your desire for me is Holy.  I trust You to bring me into Your fold of blessing and purpose!  I will take up the mantle you have created for me and live boldly.  I trust you for the power and the sound mind to walk in Your presence and victory today!  Thank you for the blood of Jesus that runs through me and makes me clean!  In Jesus Name, Amen! Amen! Amen!