Victim or Victor? (Part 3)

Believe God will do what He says.
1 Peter 5:8, 9 "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walks about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world."

The adversary is out to destroy you. He will use the most drastic means imaginable to make you believe that God is not there. But if you believe the Bible and have faith that God will do what He says He will do, then nothing in life can defeat you. Instead of telling God how big your problems are, start telling your problems just how big your God is! And start watching your victories multiply.

Don't ask why.
James 4:13-15 "Go to now, ye that say, Today or tomorrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain: Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor, that appears for a little time, and then vanishes away. For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that."

Too often when tragedy strikes, you get so lost in the why questions that you struggle to remember that God is in control. You get so lost in the circumstances, so lost in trying to make sense of the senseless, that you lose sight of the One who knows what's going on from beginning to end. You become a victim to every circumstance you encounter. Instead of asking God why, ask, "Now that it has happened, what should I do to become a victor?"

Meet Every Challenge with Enthusiasm.
Philippians 4:13 "I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me."

Rise to the challenge, put your whole heart into it, and meet the challenge with enthusiasm!                                                                                                                      

Forgive Your Trespassers.
Matthew 6:14, 15 "For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses."

OK. This is the tough one, especially for victims. And I'm not going to pretend that it's easy. In fact, in many cases it's downright impossible, if you try to do it on our own. But, if you'll rise above the tragedy, and genuinely forgive the perpetrators, you can turn the whole ordeal into a victory. You are no longer their victims; you become a victor.

Hang on to your victory!
The victory belongs to all of us if only we will grab hold of it and refuse to let go. In Christ nobody has to end up a victim.

1 John 5:4 "For whatsoever is born of God overcomes the world: and this is the victory that overcomes the world, even our faith."