9. October 2026

I AM VIC"TORI"OUS

I recently changed how I am known. Since birth, EVERYONE—family, friends, and coworkers—has called me Michelle, or Michi for short. My name is Victoria Michelle, but I always asked people to use my middle name.

Victoria felt too fancy for me. With 15 tattoos and counting, and hair in shades of magenta, purple, and an array of other colors, I’ve always been a little unconventional. What I hadn’t yet connected was the victory in my name.

In October 2019, I experienced freedom through Christ in a way I never imagined possible. I finally understood what it meant to be victorious through Him.

You know that feeling when you buy new luggage for an exciting trip? You carry it proudly, making sure everyone knows it’s yours. For decades, that’s how I carried guilt, shame, and hurtful words spoken over me. I claimed them as part of my identity, repeating them as though they truly described who I was.

I thought that baggage was mine to carry for the rest of my life.

But with the help of loving people who walked beside me toward freedom in Christ, I finally laid it down.

Now I wear a crown.

I still face challenges, but they no longer define me. Scripture reminds me that Jesus has already triumphed over the powers that once held me captive.

Colossians 2:15 (Amplified Bible)

“When He had disarmed the rulers and authorities [those supernatural forces of evil operating against us], He made a public example of them [exhibiting them as captives in His triumphal procession], having triumphed over them through the cross.”

2 Thessalonians 3:3 (Amplified Bible)

“But the Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen you [setting you on a firm foundation] and will protect and guard you from the evil one.”

And one of the most powerful reminders of all: the battle is not mine.

2 Chronicles 20:15 (NASB 1995)

“Do not fear or be dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours but God’s.”

God’s Word also reminds me that His love is secure, His plans have purpose, and I can trust Him with my future.

Romans 8:38–39 (Amplified Bible)

“For I am convinced [and continue to be convinced—beyond any doubt] that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present and threatening, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the [unlimited] love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Jeremiah 29:11–12 (Amplified Bible)

“For I know the plans and thoughts that I have for you,’ says the Lord, ‘plans for peace and well-being and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call on Me and you will come and pray to Me, and I will hear [your voice] and I will listen to you.”

I’m embracing the name I once thought was too fancy—and the victory Christ has brought into my life.

So, please call me Victoria, or Tori for short, because I AM VICTORIOUS!