Let’s face it: victimizing ourselves is a terrible disservice to our hearts. When you turn yourself into the victim because the world has been too much, it’s like a frightening and sometimes paralyzing force that follows you everywhere you go. Yet, when you start to feel sorry for yourself like that, it’s important to know that it doesn’t have to be this way.
Although you might not see it, there is a third option in-between being consumed by depression and acting like nothing happened at all. You can’t change the events that happened, but what you might not see is that there is somebody who doesn’t see you as a victim of the world. In fact, He knows everything about you. He knows your heart and how much you want to have hope. He knows what you’re afraid of and He knows what keeps you awake at night. He has loved you even before He made you. The greatest part is that He is closer than a heartbeat away.
*All verses taken from the New International Version (NIV) and all images were created via the Bible App.
1. Hebrews 12:7
Love isn’t always a handout. Sometimes, love comes in the form of a blessing. Other times, love is a lesson. The past can’t be changed, but it hardens you as a better person in the long-run.
2. Psalm 91:11-12
You are not an army of one. You can’t do everything alone and you don’t have to do everything alone. God has His angels right around every corner to keep you safe in the love He provides. You’re in good hands.
3. Psalm 71:20
God likes to repurpose things. He wants to put you in the best places to serve Him in. He knows what pains you’ll go through before you even have an idea. He also knows how He’s going to use that person you become for His glory. He won’t leave you hanging when things get rough. Instead, He’ll be at work within you, to keep your body above water.
4. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4
When you need somebody to hold you, God has you covered. He’s got you more than covered. God can heal any heart. You just have to let Him in to do it fully. God wants to do amazing things in your life. He doesn’t want to see you hurting so, like a good father, God will comfort you.
5. James 1:12
The things we go through are just blessings in disguise. We don’t realize how we’re being built up through the battering we’re feeling. God wants to see the strong person who knows he can endure trials come out of it all.
6. Psalm 17:7
Sometimes, our problem comes in the shape of the people in our lives who just won’t let us be. It can be so easy for someone else with a bad attitude to steal your peace. Just know that God will handle them with His timing and power. Give the problem to Him, He’d rather fight your battles anyway.
7. Psalm 100:5
The great thing about God and one of the craziest things about Him is that His love never ceases. He literally has loved you before you were born. No matter what mistakes you make, He sees you as His beautiful creation. He loved you so much that He died for you so that you would never have to bear that shame or guilt ever again.
8. 2 Corinthians 4:8-9
Doesn’t it feel great when you finally get through something and you finally get to breathe again? Isn’t it wonderful when you wake up to a sun shining in your face, even when it’s cloudy outside? Well, when we get the hope inside of us to see another day, we get a little stronger. It’s like a weight on your shoulders has been lightened. Just because it’s not completely gone doesn’t mean you give up. Instead, you acknowledge that the burden has been on you, but has not become you.
9. Philippians 4:6-7
That weight can get pretty heavy at times and there may come a point when it becomes too much to bear any longer. That’s the beauty though because, in the moment when you surrender your burden to God, He will gladly step in and give you a hand. Let Him in and let Him take over on the things you can’t seem to muster up the strength to do. God loves you so much, and whatever you want from Him, believe in your heart that He will follow through on His promises.
You’re never a victim, you’re a precious treasure of God Himself. Jesus will carry you, and you will survive through the grace of God’s love.
