James E. Ward Jr. - Zero Victim: Overcoming Injustice With a New Attitude

Copyright 2014 by James E. Ward Jr.

Zero Victim

by James E. Ward Jr.

Printed in the United States of America

ISBN 978-0-692-28838-2

All rights reserved. No part of this document may be reproduced or transmitted in any form, by any means (electronic, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without the written permission of the author.

Unless otherwise indicated, Bible quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation ( NLT ). Copyright 1996, 2004, 2007, 2013 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Bible quotations marked ( NKJV ) are taken from the Holy Bible, New King James Version. Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.

Produced and packaged by The Michael Thomas Group

T o James Sr. (January 25, 1946March 31, 2014), my beloved dad and dear friend. Theres not a day that goes by that I am not tempted to call or text you. You provided the seed for everything I could possibly do or become, so this first book is for you. You have raised the standard for fatherhood for me and many other men by raising your son in such a way that he could one day humbly become your mentor and pastor.

I can only wish that you were here to read this book and then preach the message to your friends in the breakfast club as if it was your own. Your affirmation and words of encouragement caused me to at least believe that I was a good son, which was plenty enough for me to do my best to behave as though I was in order to never disappoint you. You knew that high expectations create great men and you provided them for me.

Thank you for surrendering your life entirely to Christ and for faithfully loving Mom, Don, Kandys, and me unconditionally. Im eternally grateful to you.

N o significant accomplishment can be achieved without the cooperation and sacrifice of many talented people. I am the product of the sum total of the investment of those around me. My relationships make me a very wealthy man.

To Sharon, my beloved wife. From the moment we met, you presented yourself as royalty. Through your sacrifice, you have given me the opportunity to better serve our family and our generation. Thank you for praying Ruth Bell Grahams prayer for me when you were single. I love you with all my heart and would die for you.

To Hannah, the best girl in the whole world. Throughout history, wars have been fought over prized women. You are a young woman of such value. Never forget it. I love you with all my heart.

To Jonathan, my son and champion. I am extremely proud of you! I have never seen more exceptional character in a child than in you. Be a man of integrity, even if you must do so alone. I love you with all my heart.

To my precious mother, Ammie Ward. My earliest memories in life are of you caring for me. I cannot begin to even grasp how much youve sacrificed for our family, but Im profoundly grateful that you did. May God help me to ensure that your best days are ahead of you and not behind. Im so incredibly proud of you, Mom, and I love you immensely.

Don and Kandys, Gods plan for you is great. I love you both. Be encouraged.

To Pastors Carlton and Shelia Arthurs. Dad, in my early twenties you rescued me from ignorance and taught me to become wise. God used you to make me who I am by depositing your spiritual DNA into me. Mom, thank you for modeling what it means to be a gracious woman. I love you both and will honor you all of my days.

To Dr. Robb and Mrs. Linda Thompson. Dr. Robb, you have shown me that Gods favor upon an individuals life is communicated through a person. He gave you keys to unlock my future. Each time I enter your presence I improve and learn to become more excellent. Thank you for embracing me as your son. Mrs. Linda, your smile and laughter strengthen us. I love you both and will honor you all of my days.

To Bishop Wellington and Katheryn Boone. Bishop, you were the first to inspire me to teach Gods Word and challenge me to pursue big dreams. Each time I called you, you were there to help me figure it out. I love you both and will honor you all of my days.

To the Ward, Arthurs, Nyong, and Krahenbuhl families. I could not have been placed into a better family context. I love each of you and am deeply grateful for your support.

To my publishing partners, Tom Freiling and Mike Klassen. I appreciate you more than I could ever express. Our relationship is divine. Thank you for bringing out the best in me, as I attempt to bring out the best in others. Thank you, Jennifer Clark, for your additional support. Youre an angel!

To Chris Ellerman and Outreach Community Ministries. Chris, your friendship and mentoring have enriched my life personally and better equipped me to serve others in restoring hope and providing opportunities. Thank you!

To the JWM Team and ministry partners. Each of you believed in us, even before we fully understood our purpose and calling in life. You encouraged us to believe that we could succeed. I especially want to thank Darryl and Christine Kilpatrick and Natalie Everage for sharing the dream with us. Alyse Martin, your faithfulness and fruitfulness give us hope and bring us joy. David and Kathy Park, your ongoing encouragement rejuvenates us. Thank you Chris and Marlyn Llorens for strengthening our hands administratively and unselfishly serving us as we serve others.

To the wonderful people of INSIGHT, FHC, and WCC. We are fortunate to have not one, but three church homes in the city of Chicago. Each time were in your presence, we leave strengthened and encouraged. Thank you!

To all those who desire to end victim thinking. Thank you for doing your part to make life better for those around you and the world a better place.

L ewis had a troubled childhood. After his father abandoned them, Lewis and his mother endured a life of great difficulty. His mother worked two jobs while attending school part time, leaving ten-year-old Lewis to fend for himself.

Without adult supervision, Lewis questions about himself and life far exceeded his answers. What did I do to cause my dad to leave our family? he wondered most. Throughout his teen years and even as a young adult, Lewis blamed himself for the collapse of his family. Blame soon became guilt. This guilt would eventually result in low self-esteem, causing Lewis to lose confidence in his ability to succeed in anything. His grades were below average in school, all of his relationships seemed to fail, and he couldnt keep a job.

Then he met Steve, a husband, a father of four, and a successful salesman. While having breakfast together, Lewis discovered Steve had a similar childhood. I know exactly what youre going through, Lewis. But take it from me, just because your childhood was troubled doesnt mean that your future has to be. Steve encouraged Lewis to simply change the way he saw his past and his attitude concerning the future.

Today, Lewis is also a husband and father of four. As Lewis mentality and perspective changed, his circumstances, relationships, and career began to change as well. After thinking for years he must simply accept being born into disadvantaged circumstances, Lewis discovered a revolutionary principle. Lewis discovered the secret to ending victim mentality.

How would you like to immediately and permanently improve every area of your life? Imagine a life filled with more satisfying relationships with your friends, relatives, and coworkers. Picture being more effective and more productive in everything you do. Envision becoming a more influential leader who enables others to reach their maximum potential. Think what life would be like being free from oppression of the dark power of discouragement. You may be saying, Thats impossible! It sounds too good to be true! However, friends, I promise you truth.