Articles
The Destructive Power of Victimhood
Have you ever asked yourself why the defining characteristic of so many in our society is their sexual orientation? Have you wondered why so many ads hawk attorneys wanting to sue on your behalf? Have you ever seen so many special interest groups formed around aggrieved parties? Have you noticed how anger has become weaponized as seen in marches, fights, riots, looting mobs, unprovoked acts of violence and constant accusations of hate speech?
Welcome to the age of victimhood.
Let us grant at the outset that people can have legitimate complaints of mistreatment. Our government has both legislative and judicial systems to redress real issues. Even churches are given instruction in the NT on resolving occasional disagreements (Mt 18:15-17; 1 Cor 6:1-8). But we are witnessing something far different rampaging through the public square and tearing our nation asunder. We are witnessing the bitter fruits of rage, resentment and retribution.
I’ll leave the reasons for weaponizing hate and anger for another discussion. Simply note that there is political and financial advantage in fomenting hate and division. The issue for Christians is, how do we cope with such an environment? And what are the consequences of buying into such toxic attitudes?
First, we must honestly ask ourselves if we have subtly bought into the victimhood mindset. It is very tempting on a carnal level to see ourselves as victims, to imagine that everything is against us and everyone is out to get us. To be sure, the world is a hostile place, and sometimes people deliberately make life hard for us. That’s nothing new – witness the tyrannical Pharaoh who had genocidal hatred for the Hebrews; or Saul’s murderous jealousy of David; or Jeremiah’s constant persecution for his unpopular views; or Daniel, who was framed by envious rival satraps; or … well, just pick a righteous OT figure. This being the nature of things, it is easy to become paranoid and imagine that all of our faults, setbacks and failures are caused by others.
From there it is but a short step to the resentment phase where one feels undervalued and unappreciated. Such look suspiciously on others who get the promotions, accolades and rewards they feel they deserve, and this seeps out in gossip and backstabbing. If allowed to simmer, the pressure of resentment eventually explodes in hostility and violence. This destructive pattern ruins those who are bitter and pollutes everything they touch. Such attitudes breed selfishness, antagonism and disharmony, conditions that serve Satan’s purposes.
Why is it tempting to buy into such feelings? Mainly because they excuse the failure of hard work, discipline and resilience that it takes to carve out a successful life. The media often celebrates the success, omitting what went on behind the scenes to make that success happen. Life is hard; overnight success is an oxymoron. The trope “your dream will come true if you want it bad enough” is a Disneyesque platitude. So, when it becomes clear that everyone doesn’t get a trophy, that pixie dust is actually sand kicked in your face by your enemy, that life for most folks is a daily grind, many become bitter and angry. They feel they’ve been lied to.
But Christians have perspectives and insights that help us look at life realistically, that keep us grounded in godly attitudes and steer us away from the motif of victimhood. Here are just a few:
1. Trials develop character. Though counterintuitive, James says to “count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience” (1:2-3). The world says trial = loss of self-esteem, depression or psychosis. The Bible says trial = character development, wisdom and endurance. The difference does not lie in what happens but how one chooses to look at it.
2. Injustice identifies us with Christ. “For what credit is it if, when you are beaten for your faults, you take it patiently? But when you do good and suffer for it, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God. For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example that you should follow His steps” (1 Pet 2:20-21). Doing right and being persecuted for it places us in good company; in fact, it is what we sign up for when we decide to stand with Christ.
3. Unbridled anger is destructive. “Let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God” (Jas 1:19-20). Paul adds, “‘Be angry, and do not sin’: do not let the sun go down on your wrath” (Eph 4:26). On a carnal level it may temporarily feel good to vent, to tell someone off, to spew withering critiques of those who deserve to be put in their place. But the satisfaction of such outbursts is an illusion. Even if you win the argument, you lose the respect of the vanquished and the good will of those who witnessed your arrogance and callousness. Better to win the heart than the debate.
4. Victimhood undermines productivity. In all of the carping and com-plaining about being traumatized and victimized by the misfortunes of life, there is an underlying admission of helplessness. Victimhood says, “I’ve been treated badly, and there’s nothing I can do about it. Somebody needs to pay for my pain.” But the godly say, “Even though this is unfair, I will face it with dignity and God will use me to His glory.” Paul was beaten and jailed multiple times; faced death threats and false accusations by unbelievers and brethren alike; and was even plagued by some sort of physical handicap. But he finally works through it and concludes, “Most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong … I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (2 Cor 12:10; Ph 4:13). Paul did not surrender in despair but kept serving the Lord and achieving astonishing victories.
In short, victimhood increases our suffering. It rarely brings resolution; instead, it stokes discontentment leading to an unpleasant, combative disposition that alienates rather than befriends. It stunts growth, kills ambition and causes one to surrender to complaining and criticism. This is not the mindset of the disciple of Christ who knows he/she is empowered by the Master to overcome all obstacles and glorify Him.
