Ron Hutchcraft Ministries - Victim is Not Your Middle Name - #8261

Thursday, April 30, 2009

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Cindy called all the way from Alaska last night to ask for prayer. She has (called) a number of times (to ask for prayer), but this call brought some painful news. Cindy was the victim of a terrible sexual assault. Thankfully, she’s getting the appropriate counseling, but she, of course, really needs prayer. And as I prayed for her on the phone, I found myself praying this way: “Lord, help Cindy to never let this experience define who she is. ‘Rape victim’ is something awful that happened to her, Lord, but it’s not who she is.”

I’m Ron Hutchcraft, and many people listening today probably have been the victim of some things that never should happen to anybody: abuse, assault, abandonment, and mistreatment. The danger is that someone’s sin against you can become a central part of who you are if you let it. Yes, you should deal with your pain, but don’t be defined by your pain.

Speaking from a life under constant attack and hurt, Paul said, “We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed…struck down, but not destroyed” (2 Corinthians 4:8 ). Not denying the pain, but not defined by the pain. And there is nothing anyone on this earth can do to you that can touch who you really are. God says you are ”His workmanship” (Ephesians 2:10 ) no matter what. If you know Christ, you are “the temple of the living God” (2 Corinthians 6:16 ) no matter what. God calls you “My people” and a “son or daughter of the Almighty” (2 Corinthians 6:16-18 ). God’s workmanship, God’s temple, God’s royal child, the purchase of His blood—that’s who you are no matter what!

We’d love to help you be sure of an anchor relationship with Jesus Christ. That’s why our website’s there. Would you check it out today—AlifeThatMatters.org?

This radio program references: 2 Corinthians 4:8 ; 2 Corinthians 6:16-18 ; Ephesians 2:10