It feels like we are targeted, like the bad decisions made by our prodigals are aimed at us, to hurt us, like we are the victim. It may be true that we are targeted. Satan does have us in his sights to steal, kill, and destroy us, and he isn’t above using our prodigals to do so.

But that’s not who our heavenly Father says we are, so we don’t have to receive that identity, assume that identity, walk in that identity, or act like it’s true.

In fact, just two days ago while I was in prayer, the Lord told me I’m not the victim; I’m the warrior!

Now, isn’t that a turn of events, a turn of perspective, a turn from victim mentality to victory mentality, a turn from focusing on what is happening to focusing on how my fight can change things, a turn from feeling like Satan is having his way to knowing God is having His way!

Here is proof: “You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world” (1 John 4:4 NKJV).

Also, we are dressed like warriors with God’s armor on (Ephesians 6:10-18), standing in the gap of protection for our prodigals (Ezekiel 22:30).

During a sermon, Pastor Amy McGlamery read a list of who God says she is in His Word, and it encouraged me greatly, so with her list as a starting point, I add to the list as I notice them in God’s Word. I want to share it with you so you, too, will see that we really aren’t victims but mighty fighting warriors, not only for the kingdom of God at large, but right in the middle of our own families!

We are:

• A child of promise
• A citizen of heaven
• A member of Christ’s body
• Above and not beneath
• Accepted
• Adopted by God
• Alive
• An ambassador for Christ
• Anointed
• Answered
• Apple of His eye
• Armed
• Beloved
• Blessed with every spiritual blessing
• Blood-covered
• Born of God
• Bought with a price
• Brave
• Built up
• Child of the King
• Chosen
• Courageous
• Covered
• Delivered
• Empowered
• Equipped
• Faith-filled
• Fearfully and wonderfully made
• Fearless
• Filled with the Holy Spirit
• Forgiven
• Free
• God’s beloved child
• God’s workmanship
• Guided
• Have eternal life
• Head and not the tail
• Healed
• Heard
• Heir of God
• Held
• Helped
• Holy
• I have hope and a future
• Imitator of Jesus
• Instructed
• Jesus’ friend
• Joint heir with Christ
• Joyful
• Justified with God
• Known
• Led
• Light
• Loved
• Masterpiece
• More than a conqueror
• New creation
• Not alone
• Overcomer
• Peaceful
• Possessed by God
• Powerful
• Reconciled with God
• Redeemed
• Righteous
• Royal blood flows through me
• Salt
• Sanctified
• Saved
• Sealed by God
• Seated in heavenly places in Christ Jesus
• Secure
• Seen
• Shielded by faith
• Significant
• Sound mind
• Strong
• Sustained
• Taught
• Temple of the Holy Spirit
• Victorious
• Warrior
• Wise
• Witness
• Work of His hands
• World changer

See? We do not have to cower, worry, allow, or fret, “[f]or God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind”! Instead, we walk a little taller, with our heads held high, eyes focused on the Father, ears attuned to the leading of the Holy Spirit, because He is our power source and the director of our prayers and actions.

We are warriors!