Midweek Encouragement - "A Victim or a Victor?”

"A Victim or a Victor?”

     One doesn’t have to watch the evening news to know that large-scale tragedies, natural disasters, pandemics or terrorist attacks happen on a daily basis. When those incidences happen, heated debates about God’s presence often arise. “Where is God in all this suffering?” people ask. “How could He allow something like this to happen? Doesn’t He care about our world?” When trouble comes, those questions are as inevitable as they are challenging.

And yet their impact pales in comparison to the doubts and emotions that you experience when you’re on the receiving end of a tragedy that hits close to home. When trials strike you with a force that knocks you off your feet, the pain and loss might be far more intense than you ever thought possible. In your darkest moments, you might question your ability to survive. Stunned and overwhelmed, your mind will look for explanations to which you can cling. You might even wonder, “What did I do to deserve this? Why would God allow this to happen to me?”

During those times of heartbreak, you might not know why this adversity has come to your life. However, you can always trust that God is with you and loves you. You can place your faith in His unfailing character, His unfathomable wisdom, and in the fact that He’s always in control.

         As a child of a sovereign God, you’re never a victim of your circumstances! Even when you mess up, God loves you and is committed to the agreement He made with you when you invited Jesus to take center stage of your life. In Christ, God went to drastic measures to make sure that you’d be a victor, not a victim, when life throws you a curve ball.

Because God is sovereign, nothing touches your life without a purpose. You’re never merely a victim of an unfair world. God has an important purpose for refining you, which is to conform you to the image of His Son and glorify Himself through you. Remember, the deeper the cut, the more profoundly God will use you to do His work in the world if you’ll trust and obey Him.

         Are you in the middle of a trial? Are you wondering why God has allowed such painful experiences into your life? If so, ask Him, in a humble and respectful way, why He permitted the adversity and what He wants you to learn from it. Avoid becoming bitter and resentful. Always remember that God is ultimately in control, His love for you never changes, and His will for your life is good. You’re not a victim! You’re God’s beloved child. He has an extraordinary plan for your life, so have faith in Him.

Not always understanding Him, but daily trying to obey and trust Him,

^{Pastor Dale}

Pastor Dale (PD) and Pamela his wife are honored to serve the Mt. Laurel Church of God. If this Mid-Week Encouragement has helped you, perhaps it may encourage someone else. Feel free to share this message with anyone you choose. And if you'd like to receive PD's Mid-Week Encouragement, just send an email to (kingdomguy@gmail.com) and I'll accommodate your request.