When things aren’t going your way, how do you see yourself?  Do you have a tendency to put yourself down, or feel sorry for yourself?  Do you feel like the world is against you and you’re all on your own?  These types of responses only compound the problems that are a part of life for everyone.  There’s a better way to react when we inevitably go through things that are difficult or painful.

Stop seeing yourself as “poor old me,” but see yourself as a man or woman of God. (excerpt from Seeking God Daily Part 2 by Dr. Chester C. Pipkin)

If you’re a Christian and following Jesus, that means that you’re a part of God’s family, and that is an identity that is incompatible with victimhood.  Sure, you can (and will) experience bad things, but as a child of God, you are in a position to be victorious in spite of even the worst of circumstances.  But if you don’t recognize that spiritual reality, you can miss out on the benefit of that truth.

What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us? ... Can anything ever separate us from Christ's love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death? ... No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us. (Romans 8:31, 35, 37 NLT)

What a wonderful reminder of our security in Christ!  Whenever you find yourself going through a rough patch, you can read this scripture and remember what can never be taken from you. You can remind yourself that with God on your side, you are never alone and you don’t have to be a victim.  On the contrary, no matter what may be going on in your life, God has given you His love and He’s made you victorious.