My Name is Victory

BY: Deana Bell, Director, Restored Marriage

Although you all know me as Deana, I actually have another name. In fact, my other name was the first name ever given to me. You see, I was born to a 15-year-old girl who named me Victoria Ann. Moments later she gave me up for adoption, allowing my name to be changed by the couple who would eventually adopt me. When I was adopted six months later, my name was changed to Deana.
 
I didn't know about my birth name until I was in my late twenties when, by the grace of God, I found my birth mother. I remember very few things about our conversation, but of this, I am clear: had she kept me, my name would be Victoria. I have always loved the name Victoria and have since added it to my official name.
 
One of the things I learned in my training through Family Foundations International, is that names have meaning. In fact, not only do they have meaning, they have purpose. So when I learned that my birth name means "victory," it felt somewhat like it wasn't true to who I was.
 
Growing up I never felt victorious, in fact, I often felt quite the opposite; overwhelmed, anxious, and depressed. I can't name much of anything in my childhood that I felt victorious about. In fact, it would be much easier to tell you stories of all of the stuff that plagued me that I never felt I had any victory over. But God knew better. He had a plan and a purpose for my life.
 
God wanted to impart my destiny in me. This is how He spoke to me one Sunday morning during worship at our church….
 
We sing a song at church called “Resurrecting,” (Elevation Worship) which has a line that says, “Your name, your name is victory....” One Sunday, I was singing this out to the Lord during worship, giving Him praise for the victories I have now seen in my life, when out of the blue, I heard the Lord say, “YOUR name, YOUR name is victory,” as if He were singing it to me, instead of the reverse!
 
I immediately lost all control of my emotions and cried without embarrassment. I remember hanging my head and almost falling back into my seat. I felt weak in the knees when the chorus was being sung again, "YOUR name, YOUR name, is victory." I heard Him say, "Stand up and claim your name!" And again, we sang, "YOUR name, YOUR name is victory." The Lord, Himself, was imparting the truth of my name into the depths of my soul.
 
Since that day, my birth name has taken on new meaning for me. I claim victory because He is victorious.

Just a year ago, my husband and I went on a trip to Israel. While I was there, I had a dream that God gave me a necklace with the word “Victory” written in Hebrew. The very next day, our tour guides announced that there was an Israeli jeweler who was taking custom orders for jewelry written in Hebrew. In one way, I could barely believe it and on the other hand it wasn’t surprising at all. God is so good. That day, I marched in and asked for a necklace saying “Victory,” in Hebrew, knowing this was His plan all along.
 
Today, I wear my necklace proudly, knowing my destiny in Christ. Knowing my identity in Christ. Finally, after all these years, knowing who I am.
 
I claim VICTORY in my marriage, in my life, and for my generations to come.

"By Your spirit I will rise
From the ashes of defeat
The resurrected King, is resurrecting me
In Your name I come alive
To declare Your victory
The resurrected King, is resurrecting me" 
 
Victory is not just for me. It is for you, too. It is for your spouse, your children, and all who believe in Jesus. I share this story with you today to encourage you. I want you to know that Victory is your name, too. Victory in your marriage. Victory in your calling. Victory with that court date that might be down the road, and victory in what God will do in and through you as you seek Him first.
 
A PRAYER FOR VICTORY:
God, right now I feel anything but victorious. God, I feel overwhelmed, sad, and unsure of what will happen to me in the future. But God, I know You and I know that You are victorious. Your Word declares Your victory and I stand on it. You accomplish all You set out to do. And although I may not feel victorious right now, I believe that You will give me victory in Your timing. Lord, I trust You. I trust You so much that I lay down all of my wants and wishes and I allow You to come in and do what I have failed at. I allow You to turn my mess into a victory. Lord, please give me the peace and rest that I need from trying to fight my own battles. Give me the confidence that I need to believe in my victory before I see it. I trust you, Jesus. I trust you, Holy Spirit. And I trust that You have called me into Your purposes so that VICTORY can be proclaimed over my life as well. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.