Offended?

A brother offended is more unyielding than a strong city, and quarreling is like the bars of a castle. Proverbs 18:19

Taking offense, being hurt, getting angry and shutting someone out is not a characteristic of a believer. Being offended is earthly and only leads to hurt feelings, misunderstanding, and angry. 

Has someone ever offended you? Probably the answer is yes. Have you ever offended anyone either intentionally or unintentionally? Probably another yes reply. 

Just as today's Bible verse indicates, the offended person is very hard to win back. Very sad. The definition of offended is resentful. Not a fruit of the spirit obviously. So if you struggle with this ask God to help you. If you have offended someone go make peace. 

PRAYER: I thank you for forgiveness and mercy. Help me be extra careful that I don't cause offense. Help me to learn to let go of past offenses in my life. In Jesus' name. Amen.

HURT FEELINGS? BEEN THERE, DONE THAT, GOT THE TEE SHIRT.

 

Not every personality of different people is going to get along. Recently I got an email that was pretty blunt and hurtful from someone I hardly know. It had nothing to do with my writing by the way, although I have received that type. In the writing business you have to have "thick" skin and the ability to take rejection, as that is part of the business.

It is necessary to learn to not to take offense. Do not allow the enemy to rob you of your joy and peace. Do not let anger fester up and kill your witness to those around you. Sometimes a person may comment without thinking. I have done that so I know. It is good to let things sort of "roll off" you and not take things so personally. Do not let a spirit of bitterness fester and grow.

Proverbs 18:18(ESV) says 'A brother offended is more unyielding than a strong city, and quarreling is like the bars of a castle.' Pretty vivid word picture wouldn't you say? Offense leads to no good. Your reaction should be something like Ephesians 4:2-3(ESV) which says 'With all humility and gentleness, with patience bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.'

Peace is the ultimate goal and being forgiving is essential. Being offended is not Christlike either. It is a stronghold that needs to not take root.

PRAYER: I choose this day to not let a spirit of offense take root in my life. There are many opportunities to be offended but when I am tempted help me to remember to turn to hand pray and pray for the one who has hurt me as well. In Jesus' name.Amen.

OFFENSE/DEFENSE

Yeah team. Go, fight ,win! No this devotion is not about the start of the football season which for many faithful fans of this sport is one they can hardly wait for. Instead I am referring to the emotions of taking offense or being offended which I could be a spokesperson for. Then there is defense, feeling like you have to constantly defend yourself in front of others or prove your worth or value. Neither one really draws you closer to the Lord.

These two emotions are no fun to experience. To allow another's comment or perception of you to offend you is not what brings the joy of the Lord to your heart. If you are constantly worried what comments people say or feeling, then you are not trusting the Lord and maybe allowing the enemy to get into a weak area and irritate you. If you can not shake this feeling perhaps it is time to get alone with God for a while and study his word on this topic. A "Fast from Wrong Thinking" as Chicago Pastor Gregory Dickow calls it. I find that prayer followed by really praising God and perhaps listening to praise music really helps. At the end of this devotion today I have included a link to a wonderful song of praise.Take a moment and listen to it.

2 Corinthians 12:10(ESV) says 'For the sake of Christ then I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities, for when I am weak then I am string.' Your worth and value does not come from humans but from God. Taking offense is one thing Satan loves to torment the believer with. If you deal with being offended just remember what Romans 8:1(ESV) says. 'There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus.'

In life you may continue to receive little "tests" in order to grow in Christ. You can identify what your weak area is and then need these little "tests" in order to try to overcome your weakness and thus grow more Christlike. Do you want to keep being "tested"? I think it was my sister Judy who told me that we keep going through the same things till we learn. I know that is true.

If you feel the emotions of offense or defense coming on and you know in your heart that you do not want to have them then cry out to God. When you are offended you can risk an otherwise healthy relationship due to misunderstanding.

The thing to do is to seek Christ and His face continually. When you dwell on what bothers you then you can get more and more offended and defend yourself even more. None of us are perfect. We seek to be Christlike in what we say and do. Being offended and defending yourself is of the flesh and not of the kingdom of God. We need to recognize that.

Romans 7:18(ESV) is a good place to conclude. It says 'for I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is in my flesh, for I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out.' Aren't you glad Jesus can take those things and help you be a brand new person as you seek His face daily?

PRAYER: My hope is in you Lord and you alone. At times my human nature kicks in and then I have to stay close to you even more. Thank you for forgiving me when I mess up. In Jesus' name. Amen.


Click link to hear a wonderful song to start your day!

http://youtu.be/BOtuJQhW93A