ORACLES: Lesson 21

Don’t be a victim. Don’t let the devil trick you into a defeated mindset.

Everyone likes to be considered and cared for, especially during and after adversity. The trouble is attention can be addictive; without realizing it, a victim mentality is acquired as perceived actions from others are taken personally in order to garner more empathy and more attention. When that happens, you’re paralyzed in life because everything is misconstrued.

The reality is, you may not have had as many opportunities as the next person, and you may be the underdog, but that does not mean you have to adopt the mindset of one. You may have lost something precious and it may look like you’re down for the count, but that does not mean it’s your reality. It may look like someone else has the advantage around you or that others actually have more than you, but that does not mean God has forsaken you! “You can win with the hand you’ve been dealt” (Bishop I.V. Hilliard). If you will maintain a posture of righteousness and remain confident in what God said, the Lord will show Himself as your vindication and sure reward.

The Lord rewards according to your righteousness (Proverbs 18:20-24)! And your righteousness is found in Christ. In Christ, you are a victor not a victim. You may have been dealt a tough blow but you are not defeated because, in all these things you are more than a conqueror! Now, uphold your identity in Christ. God knows the end from the beginning and He’s looking at you as an overcomer, not just a survivor!

I’m reminded of David’s situation at Ziklag (1 Samuel 30). The situation was so bleak that he could have adopted a victim’s mentality. But the Scripture says, instead, he “strengthened himself in the Lord his God”, and pursued the thief to recover all. He found strength in who God made him to be, and in what God told him to do, and he came out victorious. And here’s what’s better, so can you.

You can recover if you go to God first. Not only does He give power to the weak, but also to those who have no might, He increases strength (Isaiah 40:29). He revives the

spirit and restores the soul of man. He knows how to honor you with dignity and perfect everything that concerns you.

You don’t have to be a victim when you’re in Christ. You can arise and shine because your light has come and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you.