Victim or Victor? (Part 2)

Your first step is to make a conscientious decision not to be a victim. Avoid any situation that might set you up to be victimized, either by another human being or sheer circumstance.

Ephesians 6:12 "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms."

You're fighting against forces you don't even see. Your only protection against such a formidable foe is Christ. He is the difference between you being a victim and being a victor.

Be prepared through every day events for whatever comes your way.
Romans 8:37 "Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us."

Everyday life is filled with opportunities to help you prepare for the real emergencies in your life. You can use minor inconveniences and small tragedies to practice putting things in their proper perspective, and rolling with the punches. You have to keep our hand tightly in Christ's, and trust that He will see us through every circumstance.

Think positively.
Romans 8:38, 39 "For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."

Make this your motto: "I shall live each day knowing that nothing could possibly happen to me today that God and I can't handle together."

This too shall pass.
Luke 8:34 "And they came to him, and awoke him, saying, Master, master, we perish. Then he arose, and rebuked the wind and the raging of the water: and they ceased, and there was a calm."

Sometimes, no matter how much you've prepared yourself to stand with Christ and keep a positive outlook, something happens to throw you completely over the edge. Even the disciples felt doomed when a storm came upon them at sea. And Jesus was right there in the boat with them!

Four simple words have given me courage in situations such as these: "This too shall pass."

No matter how bleak circumstances may seem right now, if I can just hang on a little longer and remain calm while the storm rages around me, I will get through this. Jesus is right here in the boat with me.