Overcoming the Victim Mentality | What Is It and How to Shift Your Mindset

Overcoming the victim mentality is accomplished through a covenant relationship with the Lord by using the Word to counter every lie of the enemy.

The victim mentality is used by the orphan spirit and the poverty spirit to hold you back and fill your mind with negativity, anger, frustration, bitterness, doubt, and unbelief.

What is the Victim Mentality?

The victim mentality is a way of thinking that robs us of the inheritance we have in Christ. It is a tainted filter we use to perceive our life experiences. Because it is tainted, we are unaware of or unable to see the truth or the ways this mentality manifests in our lives.

Instead of looking at life through the lens of God’s Word, the victim mentality filters circumstances through our past experiences, words that we’ve heard others say to us, or lies that the enemy tells us.

The spirits that tempt us to adopt the victim mentality (Jezebel, Poverty, and Orphan) tell us to always blame others for what happens in our lives. Another lie they tell us is that the future is doomed and holds nothing good for us.

Common Characteristics of the Victim Mentality

Hosea 4:6 tells us that we are destroyed for lack of knowledge. We cannot change what we don’t know. This is why the Lord has led you to this pace today. If you struggle with the victim mentality, He wants you to know you can be a victor through Him.

Let’s begin to uncover the lies of the enemy.

Here is a short list of common victim mentality characteristics and the ways they manifest…

  • Exhibiting codependency in relationships – When we have been hurt in relationships of have experienced loss in our past, fear of losing intimate relationships can set it. We can become codependent and rely on the validation of others to give us worth. We are scared that these relationships will end, so we begin to idolize them.
  • Avoiding close relationships – Much like the codependent characteristic, avoidance starts from hurt in our past. If someone close to us has hurt us emotionally, physically, or mentally, we protect ourselves by creating ways to avoid close relationships with others.
  • Doubting the future is good – The victim mentality is notorious for doubting. It causes us to doubt the future, doubt that God is good, and doubt that He gives us the strength to overcome. Over time, this can go beyond doubt into a place of believing that the world, others, or even God intends to cause us harm.
  • Not taking responsibility for our actions – Because this mindset magnifies the hurt from our past and labels us as victims, we think everything that happens to us moving forward has nothing to do with our actions. The victim mentality tends to blame and make “always and never” statements that produce feeling of condemnation, shame, doubt, and anger.
  • Having a tendency to complain – The victim mentality highlights all the wrongs and overpowers thoughts of gratitude. Therefore, we tend to complain because we only see the injustices in life.
7 Steps to Emotional Healing

How Did You Adopt the Victim Mentality?

Often this destructive way of thinking manifests as anxiety, depression, and even health problems. It is typically a result of early-life experiences in which you were victimized in some way, such as physical, sexual, or emotional abuse.

This mindset could have also taken up residency in your thoughts due to adopting unhealthy behaviors and thoughts from your parents or family members.

If you observed your family deal with struggles by complaining and blaming, then you are more likely to repeat the pattern.

What Is the Victim Mentality Stealing from You?

As you can see, the victim mentality steals joy, peace, strength, prosperity, and so much more. Unless it is dealt with, it will continue to steal, kill, and destroy (see John 10:10).

This destructive thought pattern steals…

  • Healthy relationships with others
  • Confidence in Christ
  • The joy of your salvation
  • God-given purposes
  • Unmovable faith

…just to name a few.

How to Start Overcoming the Victim Mentality

Step 1. Take a moment to stop and pray, asking God if the destructive thoughts are stealing your inheritance. Ask Him to reveal the steps you must take to start overcoming the victim mentality.

Here’s a short prayer to get you started. Always allow the Holy Spirit to guide your prayer.

“Father God, you are the giver of joy, peace, and prosperity. A victim mentality that is stealing my joy and zest for life is weighing heavy on my heart and mind. Reveal to me, by your Holy Spirit, if or how the victim mentality is manifesting in my life.

“I acknowledge in my mind that your plans are good for me, according to Jeremiah 29:11. But I’m struggling to believe in my heart. Therefore, I renounce the lies that say my future is grim and decree that I am chosen and have a purpose in Yeshua. I declare that I have the grace I need and am full of your power and stength to be a victor.

“I seal this in Yeshua’s name, amen.”

Step 2. Choose to forgive. Forgiveness is a choice – sometimes a daily one . If you’ve been hurt and hold on to that in your heart, it is slowly killing your peace and joy. Perhaps you’ve been living with unforgiveness for years.

It will take time to dig up that root and bring it into the light of the Lord. But don’t give up before your breakthrough. Forgiveness is the key to living a life of freedom. Forgiveness is the key to overcoming the victim mentality.

Step 3. Write down Bible verses that help you renew your mind. Being in God’s Word every day prepares you for your day. Write down verses that remind you to renew your mind about who God is, what your identity is, and what your purpose is. Feeding your thoughts with the Word is essential to overcoming the victim mentality.

Click HERE to get a list of Bible verses that can help you renew your mind and change your perspective!

The victim mentality is a deeply rooted mindset that can be broken. You are a victor! If you need a prayer for freedom, schedule an appointment today with our intercessors. In the meantime, keep praying and diving into God’s Word. He is at work in your life right now!