Survivors Live For A Purpose!

Have you ever thought about the calamities and obstacles that you have overcome; the tragedies, the disappointments, the failures, the false accusations and of course the sicknesses and diseases that could have easily ended your life? Lots of people limit the concept of being a survivor to those that have won the battle against cancer or those that made it through a catastrophic event. Surviving medical battles or catastrophic events are no small matters to be overlooked. We stand in support of each of those survivors but there are so many other types of survivors that society does not always support nor classify as “survivors”.

There is such an unfortunate thought process that looms over people after they have experienced an unwelcoming event. Countless numbers of people have been faced with the infliction of pain that was imposed upon them by way of others and/or circumstances. Interestingly enough those that have been raped, robbed and abused (physically, mentally, emotionally & sexually) are viewed differently. Withstanding the pressures of character assassinations, abandonment, being lied to and being lied on, being cheated on, being used for self-gain, being treated as an irrelevant being by those closest to you are people that have been labeled as “victims” or “self-pity characters”.

The dictionary defines a survivor as a person who continues to function or prosper in spite of opposition, hardship, or setback. In contrast to this definition, the dictionary defines a victim as a person who suffers from a destructive or injurious action or agency. As one can see by definition a survivor and a victim are very different however the question that is raised here would be; what sets them apart? The thought process is what is going to set them apart. Opposition, hardship, setbacks, and destructive or injurious actions are all difficult to overcome but it is possible!

The harsh realities of life will find their way to our doorsteps. Society often takes extended measures to dictate how a person should feel after certain events occur. Being a victim is the actual imposition that one faces but it is the mindset that is taken afterwards to move forward that truly brings the label classification. Whether society calls you a victim or a survivor what matters the most is what you think about the circumstances and yourself. When you deem yourself as a survivor then it is a mentality. When you deem yourself a survivor you have a right to share your story of survival with others without feeling ashamed or guilty. When you deem yourself as a survivor you have a responsibility to help victims to become survivors!

No one’s journey from victimization to survival should be minimized. You may not know the details of every survivor’s back story but what is important is that you see the cover story of their life which is “I Survived”. Christian survivors can support stance on a Biblical principle found in Romans 8:37 (KJV): Nay, in these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.

Survivors Live on Purpose!