Tactics

For the past months I have been reading a book on human trafficking.

Human trafficking is something I have always been passionate about. I can not imagine the pain these people must go through. Not only physically ,but mentally.

The author of the book started a program for girls who are victims of human trafficking. One of the hardest things She goes through with these young girls is often they  return where she found them. The young girls choose to go back to their old life  by choice. People like you and I can not wrap our minds around that. Why would you go back to men that sell you on the street ?!

The girls do not only go back to these men ,but while in the program they even miss the men. They sometimes recall “good” moments they had with them. These moments consist of the men buying them candy or a drink.

These men know who to prey on. These young girls have no one at home that loves them or cares for them. No one who would buy them their favorite candy every now and then. These men use this to their advantage to make these girls seem like they care about them.

A lot of therapist would say these victims of human trafficking have the symptoms of Stockholm syndrome.

Stockholm Syndrome- Feeling of trust or Affection felt in many cases of kidnapping or hostage – taking by the victim toward a captor.

What cause a victims to a affections toward their captor is these four steps:

1. victim feels threatened
2. the captor shows kindness
3. the victim feels isolated
4. the victim feels like there is no way out

As I began to read more into Stockholm’s syndrome the captor’s tactics seem very similar to the enemy’s tactics toward a christian.

The enemy will make you feel threatened by bringing up your past. Past regrets can make you feel paralyzed. You become fearful to move forward , because the more you move forward the bigger the threat becomes . All the enemy can do is threaten you. Remember… no weapon formed against you can prosper.

You maybe wondering how can the enemy show kindness? I would not consider this an act of kindness ,but He will tempt you with something that will make you feel better at the moment. Whether it be drinking, smoking, worldly music , or words spoken out of anger. When the temptations come speak against them with the Word of God.

Walking into a room full of people ,but you still feel alone. The enemy has a way of dragging your self-esteem so low that you never feel like you fit in anywhere. I often hear a lot of christians rather watch church sermons online than attending an actual church. Being different from a group of people can be intimidating , but being alone can limit your potential. We need others to push us out of our comfort zone. We need others to be there for us period.

God places desires and passion within us to drive us close to Him and our destiny.  The enemy sees the passion you have and tries to discourage you. He will make you feel that there is no escaping where you are at right now. There is no way you can help others when you can’t even help yourself. There is no way you can give when you have nothing to give. There is no way you have enough time in the day to work toward you goals. There is no way you can lose weight when you have already weigh this much. When these thoughts come to your head remind yourself you serve the WayMaker.  God loves when we put our trust in Him when the situation seems impossible. This is truly when God shows us who He is and what He is capable of doing. With God nothing is impossible.

Link to the book on human trafficking:  https://amzn.to/3dJ0zti