We’ve asked this before: “victim” or “victor” (to borrow from a televangelist)? It’s a bit corny, but it makes a point.

Often, we choose which one we are.

The truth was spoken powerfully (July 21, 1982) by the Virgin Mary at Medjugorje in Hercegovina. “Through fasting and prayer, one can stop wars, one can suspend the laws of nature.” (The laws of nature!)

“In prayer you shall perceive the greatest joy and the way out of every situation that has no exit” (March 28, 1985).

In His time, if we invite Him, the Lord will open a window.

The dictionary tells us that “victim” means “a person harmed, injured, or killed as a result of a crime, accident, or other event or action,” but also—more to the point—”a person who is tricked or duped.” It is the devil who deceives. A victim is “easy prey,” “a sitting target,” “fair game.”

Now, there are “victim-souls”—those who offer up their aches and pains and worse to God for redemption of fellow sinners. Mysteriously, suffering purifies. We are all called to endure.

Padre Pio comes flying into mind.

We look at the season of suffering that Christ had to face (before glory).

But Jesus didn’t paint Himself as a victim. No. He said he was a sacrificial lamb, true. But He was triumphant, a savior, a victor, not a victim.

“Take heart,” He said, “because I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).

He certainly showed that during those forty days after the Resurrection!

We rise too when we follow the path and spirit of Jesus, Who stands right next to us when we invite Him too. Right next to us!

Many, many things will come against us in this life. Some may seem nearly impossible to endure. You may wonder, with good cause: How do you keep an upbeat faith when at times there seems to be no exit (just more suffering)?

Nothing is accomplished, is the answer, by giving in, by painting oneself as a victim. Some people are “victims” even as their shortcomings, their sloth, their faithlessness, their immorality victimize others.

“Oh woe is me.”

This is how too many act—as if they can do nothing about their circumstances.

In nursing homes, you see those who shrivel up and lament their misfortune in a dark corner while others, in a spiritual state, radiate in the same conditions.

We can sulk in our loneliness, expecting others to remedy what afflicts us, or: we can declare ourselves in the Grace of Jesus. Bring others up. Don’t let them bring you down!

Did Jesus get bitter? Was He discouraged? Did He shrivel up, feel sorry for himself, and lament His circumstances?

As we all know, He endured the suffering, knowing joy would follow.

The question is what we do in Gethesame.

It takes discipline. It takes strength. It avoids complaining. Tall order, indeed!

But suffering is never permanent unless we allow it.

When we give up, it means we lack trust in what God has assigned to our destinies. We are borrowing worries from the future instead of simply handling what we have to handle that day.

“Advance against Satan by means of prayer. Put on the armor for battle and with the Rosary in your hand, defeat him!” said Mary on August 8, 1985 (Medjugorje).

Noted an inspirational author quoting the Lord, “If you learn to trust in Me—really trust Me—with your whole being, then nothing can separate you from My Peace. This is how you foil the works of evil, growing in grace through the very adversity that was meant to harm you. Joseph was a prime example of this Divine reversal, declaring to his brothers: ‘You meant evil against me, but God meant it for good” (Genesis 50:20).

It is a fact: God can bring good out of every situation you will ever encounter—you win!—as long as you don’t choose the defeat of victimhood.

[resources: Spirit Daily pilgrimage, Medjugorje and Retreat, St. Augustine Florida, 5/18]