How To Change Your Mindset From Victim to Overcomer
We hear so much about gratitude these days—and with good reason. There is science behind it. It decreases depression. It raises self-esteem. It fosters healthy relationships. Why wouldn’t we want to be grateful?
But this is actually something I wrestled with for a large portion of my life. Sure, it’s easy to be grateful when things are going your way. But what about when they’re not?
As a survivor of childhood trauma, I didn’t grow up feeling safe or secure. In many ways, healing from my childhood is a lifelong journey. I lived many years with untreated mental illness—bipolar and borderline personality disorder.
I often questioned God. Why? Why the struggle? Why this life?
God-With-Us Answers Our Questions
In my questioning and searching I discovered something amazing—God is so good and so faithful to answer our questions. Maybe not the way we wanted or expected, but answers nonetheless.
He is with me in my struggle. And more than that—He is working it out for my good and his glory.
When all I could see in the past was the hard, I now see God’s fingerprints in every aspect of my life.
My mental illness has actually been a beautiful tethering to Christ and His strength. Much like a baby needs the umbilical cord attached to its mother to survive, my illness has kept me walking in the power and strength of God where I would otherwise be tempted to go my own way.
From Victim to Overcomer
My struggles are what give my life purpose now. It’s through my struggles I am able to meet women where they are, give them practical tips to thrive in challenge and point them to the hope of Jesus.
And therein lies the source of my gratitude—my hope in Jesus.
How can I not be grateful even in the hard stuff when I know all the struggle Jesus endured for me? How can I not be grateful when knowing this life is just a vapor—that my eternity is secure?
The truth is even in the hard stuff there are blessings to be found. A cozy bed. The morning sunrise. A fresh cup of hot coffee. The strength to move forward. The comfort given our hearts.
And when we choose to focus on these blessings, it actually softens the blows of the pain we are experiencing.
I still battle overcoming childhood trauma. I still battle the impacts of bipolar and BOD everyday. Everyday. My struggles haven’t gone away.
But . . .
Looking at my life through the lens of gratitude has changed my position in my struggle from victim to overcomer. I am no longer defined by my circumstance, but defined by my Creator.
That’s powerful.
For the One Struggling Today
Friend, if you are struggling, I would encourage you to make a list of the beautiful things in your life in the midst of the struggle. Create a journal of all the ways you are overcoming and celebrate those wins.
What we focus on grows.
So let’s start focusing on the goodness in our lives and see that overtake our struggles.
Meet Carla Arges
Carla is the host of the Affirming Truths podcast, founder of In HIs Image Wellness Collective, author, mom, wife and mental health coach. Her mission is to help women take thoughts captive, renew their minds and affirm their identity in Christ. She loves to see women gain confidence in who they are and walk more boldly in the purpose God has over their life.
Where to find her . . .
Begin Within is a series to inspire a year-round lifestyle of gratitude that will impact not only your own life, but the lives of your neighbors as well. Gratitude is a theme we talk about often around here because it ties so closely into other missional living rhythms. Practicing gratitude reminds to keep our hearts soft and expectant and our eyes open. Therefore, the more we embrace gratitude, the easier it becomes to truly see our neighbors and where we can join what God is already doing in our neighborhoods.
If you would like to contribute to Begin Within, you can find the submission guidelines here.
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Creating Ripples
If you would like to cultivate rhythms in addition to gratitude that will empower you live on mission in your neighborhood, check out Cultivating a Missional Life: A 30-Day Devotional to Gently Help You Open Your Heart, Home, and Life to Your Neighbors. This small book will help you make a big impact in your neighborhood as you learn to let missional living flow from the inside out. Get the 30-day missional living challenge free when you purchase the book.
