Now it came to pass in the days when the judges ruled, that there was a famine in the land. And a certain man of Bethlehemjudah went to sojourn in the country of Moab, he, and his wife, and his two sons. 2 And the name of the man was Elimelech, and the name of his wife Naomi, and the name of his two sons Mahlon and Chilion, Ephrathites of Bethlehemjudah. And they came into the country of Moab, and continued there. 3 And Elimelech Naomi’s husband died; and she was left, and her two sons. 4 And they took them wives of the women of Moab; the name of the one was Orpah, and the name of the other Ruth: and they dwelled there about ten years. 5 And Mahlon and Chilion died also both of them; and the woman was left of her two sons and her husband.
–Ruth 1:1-5

Have you ever felt like a victim? Do you feel like your past is holding you back from your full potential in Christ? Through Christ you can stop being victimized by your past mistakes and problems and walk in the victory that Jesus has for you. We will take a look at the story of Naomi and Ruth and discover how Naomi chose to be a victim of her circumstances while Ruth decided to look to the kinsmen redeemer and walked in the victory.

Ruth 1:1-5
Now it came to pass in the days when the judges ruled, that there was a famine in the land. And a certain man of Bethlehemjudah went to sojourn in the country of Moab, he, and his wife, and his two sons. 2 And the name of the man was Elimelech, and the name of his wife Naomi, and the name of his two sons Mahlon and Chilion, Ephrathites of Bethlehemjudah. And they came into the country of Moab, and continued there. 3 And Elimelech Naomi’s husband died; and she was left, and her two sons. 4 And they took them wives of the women of Moab; the name of the one was Orpah, and the name of the other Ruth: and they dwelled there about ten years. 5 And Mahlon and Chilion died also both of them; and the woman was left of her two sons and her husband.

You could say Naomi was a victim of circumstance. Not only did she have to leave her home because of the famine, but she also lost her husband and two sons while she was in Moab. Some of us have been a victim of circumstance. Perhaps, like Naomi, you had lost loved ones before it was time. Maybe you have had damaging relationships with your parents, spouse or someone close to you. Or perhaps you have been abused. Whatever the situation, you would be considered a victim.
Naomi blamed the Lord for her circumstance, and that eventually led to bitterness when she returned to Bethlehem.

Ruth 1:13 Would ye tarry for them till they were grown? would ye stay for them from having husbands? nay, my daughters; for it grieveth me much for your sakes that the hand of the LORD is gone out against me.

Ruth 1:19-21 So they two went until they came to Bethlehem. And it came to pass, when they were come to Bethlehem, that all the city was moved about them, and they said, Is this Naomi? 20 And she said unto them, Call me not Naomi, call me Mara: for the Almighty hath dealt very bitterly with me. 21 I went out full, and the LORD hath brought me home again empty: why then call ye me Naomi, seeing the LORD hath testified against me, and the Almighty hath afflicted me?

Just like Naomi, we could blame God and become bitter about the things that have happened to us. I have had people ask me “If God cares why did He let such and such happen?” To which I respond, God gives everyone a free will and God will hold everyone accountable for their actions on judgment day.

Matt. 5:45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.

Perhaps you have a checkered past. Maybe you cannot get past the things you have done that the blood of Jesus has already covered. Even though you have been baptized in the beautiful name of Jesus and filled with the Holy Ghost and are doing your best to walk in the spirit, you still feel victimized. The Bible says In

Rom. 8:1   There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

I am not trying to minimize what happened or what you have done, and I know that life brings about wounds and scars that only the love and power of Jesus can heal. However, we have got to stop considering ourselves as victims. We cannot allow what happened in our past to control the present or our future. We cannot let it cripple our relationships or our ministry. We cannot live in the bondage of being a victim.

How do we live in the Victory God has for us?

Forgiveness… whether you have to forgive yourself or the ones who may have hurt you, you cannot let the bitterness of your past control you. Sometimes forgiving is hard, but it is required of us by Jesus.

Matt. 6:14 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:

Matt. 5:44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;

Heb. 12:15 Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;

Even if it seems impossible, forgive them or yourself. Let it go, give it all to Jesus, ask Him to heal the hurt, take away the pain, help you to forgive and bring a wave of peace to flood your soul.

John 14:27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

You can either choose to be bitter like Naomi and forever be a victim of your past or like Ruth; you can choose to look to the kinsman redeemer of your soul and live victoriously.