Tag: victim

how you see yourself

How Do You See Yourself– As Victim or Victor?

Posted on by Evangeline

Our circumstances can influence how we see ourselves…maybe we let them have too much influence. Often, we’re a beautiful swan but we think of ourselves as an ugly duckling.

So many times I’ve heard women say things about themselves that were self-denigrating. It’s a clear indicator of how they see themselves and what they believe about themselves (Matthew 12:34). However, it doesn’t align with how others see them. And it definitely doesn’t align with how God sees them.

“For whatever is in your heart determines what you say.”

How about you? Do you see yourself the way God sees you?

Do you see yourself as a victim of your circumstances or do you choose to take the viewpoint of a victor?

If you’re unsure, maybe these simple questions can help:

  • How well do I receive compliments?
  • What do I say about myself in my quiet thoughts?
  • How do I respond to negative thoughts that arise in my mind?

God values you and loves you immensely. He created you to live the life of a victor. That requires a thought-life that is intentionally positive. One that resists negativity and is full of gratitude. Out of love, Jesus came and gave His life for you so that you could enjoy life and live it in overflowing abundance (John 10:10-11).

So I ask again, do you see yourself the way God sees you? He sees you as a victor. If that’s not your self-vision, what’s holding you back from doing so? ♥

“I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. 
I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.”

How We Weather a Storm

Posted on by Evangeline

Winter is usually not too cold in central Arizona. But this year’s winter has been decidedly different. Most of the plants in our front yard took a hard hit from below-freezing temperatures a few weeks ago. Take a look at this 7 foot tall victim:

dead plant jpg

If you look near the bottom of this plant, you can see that it had been a large and rather lush green bush before the freeze.  But now, because it did not have what it takes inside the bush to keep it from reacting to the extremely cold desert temperatures, it appears to be close to death. Major pruning will be required to bring it back to its once verdant and healthy state.

But just 10 feet away, in the same freezing temperatures, sat this pot of flowers:

flowers-pretty jpg

These flowers emerged victorious! They weathered the storm VERY well—something inside of them kept them strong and almost non-reactive to the harsh circumstances.

Our lives can be the same way. We can weather the storms of life and come out damaged, messed up and not having anything that looks appealing about us. BUT, if we have something inside of us, or should I say Someone inside of us, we can weather the storms of life and come out victorious, looking unscathed and healthy, like these flowers did. We can continue flourishing and give others joy through the beauty within us.

We’re blessed to have a God and Savior who loves us and puts His Holy Spirit in us to aid us in all our times of need. It is He who enables us to weather the storm and yet flourish so that others will see that His exceptional love, attention, and grace are just what they need in their lives.