Stop Victim Mentality Philippians 1

One of the most effective ways to hold people down is to promote in them a victim mentality. When a person has a victim mentality he and she lack faith in themselves. Christians may have faith in God generally speaking but lack faith in God in particular situations. God saves me from sin and one day I will go to heaven. However, God is unable to provide me with the strength, knowledge, and opportunity necessary for me to change my circumstances or live successfully in the face of my circumstances. Woe is me because the powers that exist in the world control my life.

I am a seventy-one year old African American male, and I believe that the thing that is holding African American people back the most is that too many of us have a victim mentality. In fact, I believe that there are people that disguise themselves as allies of our people, but the truth is this: They don’t believe in us. They think that it is necessary that we be given something so that we can make it in the world. These people feel good about doing something for those that are having a hard time in life. It proves to them and suggest to the ones that they are helping that they are superior. Let us think about this: If I give you a fish sandwich I control how much fish you eat. Your life is dependent upon my generosity. On the other hand, if I teach you how to catch fish you can eat all the fish you can catch. You no longer depend on me or anyone else. It is time for Christians to be free of the victim mentality that is keeping them from stepping out on faith in Jesus Christ who is able to make possible all the things that we need in order to serve Him.

There are several examples in the Bible of people that find them self in adverse situations. They refuse to live with a victim mentality. Instead, with faith in God they prosper in their situations and change their circumstances. Some examples include Joseph who is sold into slavery by his brothers. In slavery Joseph holds to his dream and he believes in the God that gives him his dreams. Joseph lives with a positive attitude, and though a series of events, Joseph becomes the second ruler to Pharaoh the king of Egypt. Three Hebrew boys exiled to Babylon refuse to eat the king’s food. They become the most qualified to do the king’s work. They refuse to bow when the king’s music is played. Without reservation they accept the king’s punishment; they are cast in the fiery furnace. God responds to their faith. God goes into the fire with them. Their refusal to be a victim causes the king to recognize the God of Heaven as the God above all gods. Finally, Paul the Apostle is in a Roman prison. We want to use his example for the remainder of this article.

While in prison Paul writes letters to several churches. One of the churches that he writes to is the church at Philippi. As we examine this letter we discover that Paul never feels sorry for himself. He never develops a victim mentality. We too can prevent ourselves from developing a victim mentality. This space will not allow us to address all the things that Paul says in this letter to the Philippines, but we can highlight a few things that will help us when we are in trying circumstances. We will use Philippines 1 for our discussion.

The first thing that we see is that Paul recognizes who Christ is in his life. Paul is a bond-servant of Christ Jesus, and Jesus Christ is his Lord. The Lord Jesus Christ is the Son of God (vv.1-2, NASB). This means that Paul is more concerned about his relationship to his Lord than he is about his circumstances. Jesus is his Lord and regardless of the situation he is trusting in Jesus. Secondly, Paul is thankful. Regardless of where we find ourselves we ought to be thankful. Paul is thankful that the Philippines are standing with him and supporting him. Are we seeking out people that are in position to stand with us in our circumstances? Or, do we listen to false promises made by people that really do not believe in us? Do these people really want to help us advance or do they want to control how we advance ourselves and how much we advance ourselves? Are they trying to replace God in our lives by their methods, or do they want to help us to be who God calls us to be? Do not be a victim. Always have faith in God, and ally yourself with those that believe in God also. They will stand with you regardless of your circumstances because they have learned to trust in Jesus.

Paul does not concentrate on the negatives aspects of being in prison. He is more concerned about the church (vv. 6-11). He prays for the church. “And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in real knowledge and all discernment” (v. 9, NASB). I am thinking of a patient of mine many years ago. He feels sorry for himself. He seems to have given up. He does not talk to anyone. He has a roommate that cannot feed himself. He watches every day as the nursing personnel feed the man. One day he is moved with compassion, and he is motivated to assist his roommate that is older than himself and totally dependent on others. One day this man gets out of his bed and feeds his roommate. When he begins to assist his roommate his own condition begins to improve. Stop feeling sorry for yourself. Look at the condition of someone that is worse off than you. Be thankful and trust in Jesus.

Paul sees his own circumstances as a means by which God is using him to carry out the mission that God calls him to. “Now I want you to know, brethren, that my circumstances have turned out for the greater progress of the gospel, so that my imprisonment in the cause of Christ has become well known throughout the whole praetorian guard and to everyone else” (vv. 12-13, NASB). Yes, the Lord cause us to be in less than ideal situations for our personal conveniences, but at the same time they are situations in which others come to know Christ.

Paul’s situation motivates others to preach the gospel. Some preach out of good will while others preach out of envy hoping to cause Paul more distress. With this goal in mind, Paul rejoices that the gospel is being preached. It is the truth of the gospel, not the motivation of the person preaching that draws people to faith in Jesus Christ.

Lastly, Paul knows that there is a possibility that he will be put to death. Also, there is the possibility that he will be set free. Paul sees the benefits of his death and the benefits of living. Death will mean that he is going to be with the Lord. Troubles will be no more and it is exciting to know that he will enjoy life with the Lord throughout eternity. On the other hand, Paul will be happy to continue preaching the gospel and sharing fellowship with his fellow Christians. Paul sees himself in a win/win situation (vv. 19-26).

Paul ends this section of his letter with words of encouragement in verses 27-30. He reminds them that they have opponents. They must not allow themselves to develop a victim mentality. They must keep faith in Jesus Christ who is able to give them the strength to endure all things and overcome every obstacle. “For to you it has been granted for Christ’s sake, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake, experiencing the same conflict which you saw in me, and now hear to be in me” (vv. 29-30, NASB). Do not allow your circumstances to destroy you. Do not lose faith in Jesus. Do not allow others to make you feel that you are a victim. In Christ Jesus we are not victims. We are unconquerable. We are not defeated.