Friday – I am a Victim
Read Genesis 50:19-21; 1 Peter 2:22-23; Philippians 1:12-14; Psalms 10:14; Isaiah 43:18-19
SOAP: Isaiah 43:18-19
“Remember not the former things,
nor consider the things of old.
19 Behold, I am doing a new thing;
now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?
I will make a way in the wilderness
and rivers in the desert. – Isaiah 43:18-19
Have you ever been hurt by someone? We all have, in one way or another. We live in a broken world with sinful people. Pain is a condition of the human experience. But with God’s help, we don’t have to stay in that pain forever. We can heal and move forward in faith and forgiveness as we let go of the past and embrace the future.
We must remember we are never alone in our pain, God is right there with us and gives us the strength to overcome. Joseph, son of Jacob, illustrates this principle. His brothers sold him as a slave, but God used that tragic event to advance His purpose. Instead of acting as a victim in his circumstances, Joseph trusted in God’s plan. Yes, we live in a broken world but we must remember that God is more powerful than any evil, any pain…any heartbreak and He can bring good out of any horrible event.
So while we cannot control what happens to us, we do have a choice in how we respond. We can either allow our pain to keep us in our past, or we can choose to move forward in faith trusting God to redeem our pain and bring beauty out of ashes.
Father God, help me to heal from my pain. Use what was intended for evil and bring good out of it like only You can. Help me to forgive those who have hurt me and move on with my life…not allowing me to see myself as a victim but rather a victor with Your help. I know I can do all things through You as You give me the strength…may my life bring You glory! Bring purpose out of my pain. In Jesus’ name, Amen.