Thanks be to God,
who always leads us in triumph in Christ,
and manifests through us
the sweet aroma
of the knowledge of Him
in every place.
2 CORINTHIANS 2:14
I am mentoring (biblical discipleship) a man who often feel like a victim as a result of having lost so much, some do to his decisions and some due to unfairness by others.
However, he has not lost hope! He is growing in the truth of the above Scripture where God promises to always (not sometimes) lead him in triumph (not toward and into triumph, but always in triumph) in Christ (not necessarily in circumstances) everywhere he goes in this world (including where he is treated as a victim).
He is growing in having a thanks-be-to-God mindset rather than a woe-is-me mindset. God is freeing him from the illusion of being a victim to the reality of being a victor through the victorious Christ who indwells him!
A VICTIM FOCUSES ON SELF
Christians are indeed victims to many things in this world. Just like everyone, we are victims of theft, slander, unfairness, diseases, tornadoes, etc.
However, Philippians 3:19-20 says that because our citizenship is in heaven, we need not have the earthly mindset of a victim.
And 1 Corinthians 2:16 says that we have been given the mind of Christ! Therefore, in our union with Christ, we can have His victorious mindset even in the midst of being an earthly victim.
Many Christians remain in bondage to other people and to circumstances because they choose to strive with an earthly victim mindset, instead of appropriating their God-given victory by faith with their victor mindset.
A VICTOR FOCUSES ON THE SON
Our Rest Stop verse 2 Corinthians 2:14 reveals the following truths that apply even (and especially) when we are victims in this world:
(1) As we appropriate our God-given victorious mind-set, thanksgivings to God will overflow our hearts.
(2) God promises to always lead us in triumph in Christ!
(3) God promises to manifest the aroma of Christ through us!
Hebrews 12:1 exhorts us to run with endurance the race in this world already won for us by Christ.
Hebrews 12:2 exhorts us to keep our eyes upon Jesus as we run as victims of this world but as victorious children of the kingdom of God!
Hebrews 12:2 also reveals that Jesus did not have a victim mindset as He journeyed to the cross:
For the joy (of a victor) set before Him,
Jesus endured the cross (for you and for me).
CLOSING
There have been many debates regarding who crucified Christ. However, these debates are futile. For you see, Jesus was not a victim of anyone! Listen to these victorious words of Christ before His crucifixion:
No one takes My life from Me,
but I lay it down of Myself.
I have the power to lay it down,
and I have the power to take it again.
This command I have received from My Father.
JOHN 10:18
Now the risen victorious Christ Jesus lives in us! With Christ as our sure hope, we truly are not helpless victims in this world!
Victim versus Victor 
