Victim or Victor?

I am an optimist, a dreamer and expect happy endings. I always have and I always will.  Life is full of highs and lows, obstacles stumbling blocks and hiccups. Sometimes the trials and tribulations that affect our lives are created by our volition. It’s all about choices. We choose certain paths, relationships, jobs, homes, neighborhoods, etc. On the other had as Solomon said time and chance happen to us all.

Whether we have made a decision that has adversely affected our lives or the adverse affect was not caused by anything we have done ourselves how we choose to react to the consequences determine whether we are a victim or victor.

It’s easy to blame others whether it’s their fault of not for the things that we feel have adversely affected our lives. Sometimes it makes us feel better to place blame on others and the fault may belong to others but we are responsible for determining how we will react.

Have I always made the best decisions? No I have not. Have things occurred in my life at the hands of others that I could not avoid? Yes they have? Have I considered my self as a victim? Yes I have. Was my life, were my emotions or my state of mind improved or did I find solace when I saw myself as a victim? Perhaps momentarily, but being a victim prevented growth as well as helping me determine how or even why I found myself in the role of being a victim.

Once I decided to take an objective look at the circumstances which I felt caused me to be a victim I was able to change my status from victim to victor. I learned from decisions I’d made. I forgave those that hurt me and made a conscious decision to change my life.

Perhaps you have been hurt by someone you love and thought loved you. Maybe you were abandoned, lied to cheated on or stolen from. Maybe you were the offender and have caused family or friends to turn against you or could there be an offense you feel guilty for committing that no one knows about but God?

If you fall into any of these categories the first thing you need to do is determine what has caused you to feel like a victim. Once you have determined the cause if repenting is required repent, if forgiving is required forgive. Forgive yourself and forgive your offender. As long as you have not forgiven you are still a victim, victory comes with forgiving. Do not allow your offender whether it’s someone else or your own thoughts to hold you captive. Make a decision today to be victorious. Victory is yours. All you have to do is choose to be a victor rather than a victim.