Victor or Victim?

Counseling is a big part of my ministry. In my ministry and personal life, I seem to do it often. I have a few policies, but for this purpose, I will highlight one: what is said with me stays with me, so I will not be divulging anyone’s personal information. However, I will say this: every single person has one thing in common. They all have a choice to make. People will either be victims of their circumstances, or they will rise above their situations and turn their eyes to the ultimate victor, Christ Jesus.  All too often, people wallow in their victimhood.

There are some legitimate and horrid things that happen to people, but I have seen lives risen from the dead (not literally death) and people transform completely IN SPITE of what has happened to them. I have also seen people refuse to change, and let their circumstances rule over them. We can’t always control what happens to us. As a matter of fact, every one of us will face trial, struggle and hardship in our lives (and if someone told you following Jesus was a magic eraser for your struggles, they were not a prophet, and were just selling something to make a profit). We can’t avoid it. But we can give Jesus the victory. We need to, then, focus on Him. We need to intentionally put godly people in our lives to help show us the way, and we need to seek Christ in all we do. It doesn’t make it easier, but it makes it bearable.

Philippians 2

So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.

Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain. Even if I am to be poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all. Likewise you also should be glad and rejoice with me.

I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, so that I too may be cheered by news of you. For I have no one like him, who will be genuinely concerned for your welfare. For they all seek their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. But you know Timothy’s proven worth, how as a son with a father he has served with me in the gospel. I hope therefore to send him just as soon as I see how it will go with me, and I trust in the Lord that shortly I myself will come also.

I have thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus my brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier, and your messenger and minister to my need, for he has been longing for you all and has been distressed because you heard that he was ill. Indeed he was ill, near to death. But God had mercy on him, and not only on him but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow. I am the more eager to send him, therefore, that you may rejoice at seeing him again, and that I may be less anxious. So receive him in the Lord with all joy, and honor such men, for he nearly died for the work of Christ, risking his life to complete what was lacking in your service to me.