“What I do does not define my identity. I’m not stupid because I did one stupid thing. I’m not a loser because I lost a race.”
As quoted from the book “Victor - Breaking Free From a Victim-Based Society” by John H. Hovis Page 12.
Ever think you are a loser just because you lost the race? That kind of thinking has its basis in a misplaced identity. The person or team who came in second in the championship, though lost, are not losers unless they choose to believe that they are. The difference between the person who loses yet lives like a victor and the loser who is stuck in victim thinking is choice. What I do and the results of what I do should not have any bearing on my identity as a victor.
Look at today’s Bible reading.
Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize. 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 (NIV)
There is a fine line being walked by the author of these words. For those caught in victim thinking, this verse is filled with guilt and condemnation. It is saying to them, “You lost because you didn’t do enough. You will always be a loser because you just aren’t good enough to figure out how to compete at the elite levels.”
For the victor, this verse is filled with the truth of purpose that this life has to offer. The victor realizes that there are many races that we will compete in in this life. Why not be as prepared as we can be to win those races. Not that winning is what makes us victors. It’s just more fun to be prepared to do our best, then see our best be what it takes to win. Even if we lose after our all our preparation, the victor can learn valuable lessons on how to be better prepared next time that particular race comes our way.
Win or lose, the victor is prepared by leaning in on the fact that our identity is not altered by the outcome of what we do. Our status as victors has been established by Christ's work on the cross. Victory, though a sweet reward, doesn’t always come so relying on victory to prove our victor status is a victim thinker's paradise.
Today you will win some and you will lose some. Some of the wins will come with little or no preparation just like some of the losses will come after great and strenuous preparation. If we look to the final score as to whether we are victors or not we will be in a place where victim thinking can takes its tole on our life. As you go through your day today, pay close attention to how the outcome of your “races” impacts your psyche. You are a victor, not because of your victories. You are a victor because of what God has done for you and that doesn’t change no matter who crosses the finish line first.
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