I understand there are real victims in the world and those people should get justice for the unjust acts they’ve gone through.

But there are others who have a victim mentality.

“A victim mentality is an acquired personality trait in which a person tends to recognize or consider themselves as a victim of the negative actions of others and to behave as if this were the case in the face of contrary evidence of such circumstances.”

I personally don’t claim to be a victim of Dystonia. Now I certainly have the right to be a victim because, as you know, “I was misdiagnosed and….” Yes, I was misdiagnosed but God has helped me live life with joy. He has also helped me to forgive the doctor who misdiagnosed me. 

A year ago I was struggling with forgiving the doctor because the night before I was having trouble breathing. I got up several times to take a drink and then, before you know it, I can’t go back to sleep. Now, I’m in bed thinking, “If only the doctor hadn’t misdiagnosed, I’d be…” That rough night triggered something I thought I had already forgiven. I still get triggered from time to time and I just have to stop what I’m doing and just give it to the Lord and listen to music that makes me think about other things besides what I can’t do at that moment. 

I’m thankful my parents taught me to think about others and not just myself. For example, my mom found out about this man who was born with no arms and he was going to speak at the University in Oklahoma. We went and it was interesting; he showed us how he ate with his foot. Anyways, when we got home my mom asked me what I thought and my ten-year-old self typed out, “At least he can talk.” 💁🏻‍♀️ 😂

As you can tell I was still thinking about myself and my problems, like any other 5th grade girl might. 

It’s my desire that Dystonia doesn’t define me but that God defines my life. God has taught me that Dystonia will not always be a part of my life; it’s just a moment in time through this journey here on earth. I’m looking forward to that wonderful day when I will have a heavenly body. Until then I’ll continue to live one day at a time and tell people about Him. 

What’s your “At least”? At least you’re married. At least you have the money to go on vacation. At least she’s cute or he’s cute. You fill in the blank, At least…

I want to end with this quote I heard last year.

“God never uses a person greatly until He has wounded him deeply.

The privilege He offers you is greater than the price you have to pay.

The privilege is greater than the price.”

—Helen Roseveare

Click here to read her amazing testimony.