Victim or Victor?

“When he had received the drink, Jesus said, ‘It is finished.’ With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.”

John 19:30

I am the victim of a terrible diving accident,” I said in a flat tone to the lawyer. “It has left me completely paralyzed from the shoulders down.”

My dad’s lawyer jotted copious notes as I droned on. I didn’t flinch at the idea of making Maryland Beach, Inc., pay. I wanted everyone to pay, including my parents, who had brought me into this world—it was really their fault. But after my first year in a wheelchair, I began to tire of the self-pity. I turned to the Bible, and my guides became the Holy Spirit and a Christian friend named Steve. I said to Steve, “I can’t face a life of paralysis with a happy attitude. It’s just too big.”

He had a wise reply. “God doesn’t ask that of you. He only asks you to take one day at a time.” This fundamental signpost from Scripture (Matt. 6:34 KJV) pointed to the path away from pain. I began to “wheel” the path. What came of my blubbering to the lawyer? We lost the case. The truth was, I had made a reckless dive. That truth set me free, along with other truths like leaning daily on God’s grace and realizing that God’s children are never victims. Everything that touches their lives, he permits.

The irony is, you can’t imagine a more victimized person than Jesus. Yet when he died, he didn’t say, “I am finished” but “It is finished.” He did not play the victim, and thus he emerged the victor.

Forget the self-pity. True, your supervisor may be trying to push you out of your job. Your marriage may be a fiery trial. You might be living below the poverty level. But victory is ours in Christ. His grace is sufficient. Know this truth and it will set you free.

This day, Jesus, I can feel sorry for myself or victorious in you. Show me how to choose the latter.