Teresa Poucher
Perhaps you know what it is to be a victim. Numerous children have been victims of verbal, physical, or sexual abuse. We are aware of elders becoming victims to neglect and emotional abandonment. Something rises within us when we see children or elders being victimized. Why would someone take advantage of someone who could not help themselves?
Maybe you have been robbed, assaulted, or even worse. Some have been plagued by illness.
Was Jesus a victim? Herod plotted to kill Him as an infant. He was rejected by his people.
“He is despised rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities…” (Isaiah 53:3-5)
One has little control over someone else’s actions. However, how we respond to those actions generate a large contrast. I can fall into the trap of becoming a victim by thinking, “They always have it in for me,” by having a negative attitude, or by holding on to grudges. So, tell me, how is that working for you?
Jesus did suffer at the hands of the ones he created, but it was a choice: “Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise him…” (Isaiah 53:10)
I thought, “How in the world could it please Him?” Because He saw the end result. His death would bring salvation to those who desired Him. The same is true with us today. We can choose to be more than conquerors…
“Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.” (II Timothy 3:12)
Daniel was thrown into the den of lions and escaped injury. The three Hebrews were thrown into a fiery furnace yet escaped death. John the Baptist was beheaded. Steven was stoned to death. All of these were victims; however, they were all victorious.
We have a choice to put on the mind of Christ and become victorious through our Lord Jesus Christ. Even if, at times, it might mean being a victim and showing God’s love and forgiveness.
“For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.” (1John 5:4)
Empower the victim to become the victor!
