Victim vs Victor

Victim or Victor? Mastering the Power of Choice

To live more powerfully, successfully, and happily, we must cultivate a victor mindset through and through. You can do this—it's within reach, and you're not alone.

Our greatest earthly gift is agency—the divine power to choose. This belongs fully and completely to you; no one can take it away. When we're unaware of it, we give it away—handing control to circumstances, others, or fear. Stay mindful: You are your own agent. Guard this gift diligently.

Viktor E. Frankl, Holocaust survivor and psychiatrist, captured it beautifully:

“Between stimulus and response there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom.” (Viktor E. Frankl)

Even if that space is a nano-second, it's yours. You choose how to interpret, respond, and grow from any experience.

A friend once complained about Facebook posts making him angry. I gently replied, “No, they don’t have to. I don’t choose that response.” Instead of reacting, I look deeper—seeking the emotional or spiritual need behind actions (love, acceptance, recognition). Everyone is on their own journey. Why judge harshly when compassion brings peace?

Be cautious of manipulation—whether in society, parenting, or leadership—it subtly erodes agency. True empowerment honors choice.

Automatic Responses and the "Natural Man"

Our subconscious makes thousands of decisions daily—many for basic functions, saving energy. Research shows brain activity (in areas like the frontopolar cortex) can predict choices seconds before conscious awareness, preparing decisions unconsciously.

Most are helpful, but when automatic responses are negative or limiting, they block spiritual growth. Scriptures call this the "natural man":

“For the natural man is an enemy to God… unless he yields to the enticings of the Holy Spirit, and putteth off the natural man and becometh a saint through the atonement of Christ the Lord…” (Mosiah 3:19)

Living reactively—letting autopilot rule—keeps us from becoming more like God. We must apply faith, humility, and self-awareness to shift from victim patterns to victor traits: submissive, meek, patient, full of love.

Signs you're in reactive "natural man" mode:

• Fearful thoughts and self-focused emotions  

• Victim core beliefs ("I can't because…")  

• Frequent sickness or dis-ease (body signaling misalignment)  

It's easy to swing to extremes: believing we're "all bad" or untrustworthy. Evil thrives on half-truths and polarization. In reality, we're shades of grey—ever-changing, refining. Perfection isn't required now; progress is.

Our work? Identify negative automatic responses, replace them with positive ones through faith. This "cleaning up" harnesses spiritual power, preparing us for greater joy and eternal potential. Without it, progression stalls—feeling sad, lost, or depressed.

Signs of Victim vs. Victor Mindset

Victim/Reactive Mindset:

• Frequent "I can't because…" excuses  

• Overwhelmed, stuck, drama-filled  

• Gut/weight/leg issues (subconscious drawing limited energy from self, not God)  

• Predictable negativity: "I wish I could, but…"  

• Holding faith and fear simultaneously—slow, fearful movement  

Victor/Proactive Mindset:

• "With God, I can because…"  

• Solution-focused, excited: "Let me check my schedule—let's figure it out."  

• Better health, success, happiness  

• Draws energy from God through pure faith—resilient, hopeful, abundant  

• Predictable positivity and progress  

Which mindset brings more joy, resilience, ideas, and energy? The victor one. Choose connections that uplift; I choose God.

We're not victims to trials—we're victors through Him.

“With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible.” (Mark 10:27)

Essential Oils to Strengthen Victor Energy

These oils support connection to God, releasing fear and inviting faith (inhale during prayer, apply over heart, or diffuse):

• Sandalwood: Grounds sacred devotion and deepens spiritual connection.  

• Frankincense: Enhances prayer, promotes clarity, and invites divine light.  

• Immortelle: Renews hope, supports emotional healing, and fosters eternal perspective.

A Loving Invitation

Choose your response today—one nano-second at a time. Shift from "I can't" to "With God, I can." Own your agency, yield to the Spirit, and watch victim patterns fade. You're a child of God—powerful, capable, loved.

Start small: Notice one automatic response, pause in that space, choose faith. Miracles follow. You've got this—He's got you.

Keep choosing victor—your life reflects it.