Overcoming A Victim Mentality (1)

A victim is a person who has been abused or hurt or oppressed and, was without power to change their circumstances.  As a result of one incident, or a pattern of incidents, that person now believes these experiences left them so marred that they no longer are able to be responsible for their life.   They blame others for what they are experiencing in life today.  They develop a way of thinking and interpreting life that comes from unresolved offences, grief, and bitterness.  Even though physically, they are no longer under the abuse, in their minds they live as though they remain there.

This victim mentality is quite widespread in our society and particularly in the world of addiction and recovery.  It’s devastating to relationships and relationships are key to recovery.  Even though each person is created by God to want and need intimacy, people with a victim mentality struggle to form emotional intimacy in relationships and they often have no idea why. What’s going on?  A person with a victim mentality has a way of thinking and believing that continually sabotages life and relationships.  What is the root of that mindset?  We believe no one notices us and no one cares. 

The truth is that God does know and God does care.  In love, God invites all those who’ve been victimized to rest in His protection and healing. God is well aware that we can’t face these fearful injustices on our own and He cares and wants us to live in His overcoming power as He works in us to heal and restore.

Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.  Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For My yoke is easy and My burden is light. (Matthew 11:28-30 NIV)

Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.  (1 Peter 5:7 NIV)

You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.  (1 John 4:4 NIV)

Let’s come close to God, bringing our painful burdens, and learn from God how to live as overcomers rather than as victims.

©2015 Partners in Hope