We all go through things that are unfair–people do us wrong, the company let us go, we came down with an illness. It’s easy to live with a victim mentality, thinking we’re at a disadvantage, we were shortchanged, we can’t do anything great. We can’t love again, because the last person hurt us. We can’t live happy, because we’ve lost too much. As long as you accept that you’re a victim, you’re going to get stuck. Don’t use what you’ve been through as an excuse to feel sorry for yourself, to limit you, to not pursue your dreams.
You have to take the hand you’ve been dealt and make the most of it. Nothing that’s happened to you has stopped your destiny. When someone did you wrong and walked away, it may have been painful, but they didn’t ruin your life. They don’t have that much power. If they could stop God’s plan, they would be bigger than God. Don’t let a bad break, an injustice, or a difficult season cause you to be sour or have a chip on your shoulder.
When we go through a loss, things we don’t understand, the victim mentality will always come knocking at the door. We have to make the choice. Are we going to live bitter, discouraged, thinking we’re a victim of our circumstances? Or are we going to believe that God is in control, that He’s ordering our steps, that His plans for us are for good? Instead of having a victim mentality, switch over to a victor mentality. That bad break is not how your story ends.
God says, “He will pay you back double for the unfair things that have happened.” If you’re going to see the double, you have to know that God is going to make it up to you. He knows who hurt you, what you lost, and what you’re struggling with. He’s not going to just bring you out, He’s going to bring you out better. How you were treated at work wasn’t fair, but what you can’t see is that it set you up for promotion, increase, and favor. You’re not a victim. God always causes you to triumph.
Here’s the key: Despite what people do and say, nobody can force you to have a victim mentality. You have to give permission to become a victim. “I’m at a disadvantage. I’m going to feel sorry for myself. This bad break has stopped my future.” Don’t allow that victim mentality to enter your thinking. You have to dig down deep and say, “No, thanks. I refuse to be a victim. I know God is still on the throne. What was meant for my harm He’s turning to my advantage. My time is coming.”
