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.

Shake It Off

When He was reviled, He did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but continued entrusting Himself to Him who judges justly. 1 Peter 2:23

Lots of writers get their material from their own lives and I am no exception. When a problem occurs and you are 'walking through it' some good therapy is writing about it. In the process, others who struggle with similar issues are helped. Similar to journaling when you are going through something. 

Offense is not supposed to be a part of the believers life but it, and hurt feelings still occur. It is so hard to not take things personally. The enemy has a great tool in that he can try to manipulate your thought life. When you are focused on wondering if someone likes you, if you hurt someone and similar situations, you are not living for the kingdom at that time. Dwelling on worry over something robs you of true joy of the Lord.

In scripture we are told in Philippians 4:8 to "focus on things above" and what excellent advise that is.  Furthermore we need to learn to shake it off, walk away, and let things go. 

PRAYER: When someone has hurt me they may not even be aware of it. Help me to pray for that person and love through any pain I may be experiencing. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Lead Me To The Cross

For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.1 Corinthians 1:18

What does the cross of Jesus Christ mean to you? You don't have to look far in a crowd to see someone wearing a cross necklace or medallion. It is a nice thing to do, but how many who wear this symbol of Christ are really knowing what it means and living a life pleasing to Him? 

The cross is powerful and is an offense to many. Monuments with the cross have been a subject of lawsuits to remove them because of what they stand for and that is Christ and His death and miraculous resurrection. Even if these non believers are successful in taking down crosses,  Jesus and God are not going anywhere. 

The world in 2016 is becoming more and more hostile to believers and those who choose to live out their faith according to the word of God without compromise. Even here in America we are starting to see Christian persecution although not yet on the scale of some nations who die for their faith. Don't be afraid to live out your faith everywhere you go and speak up for the truth of the cross of Jesus Christ. 

PRAYER: I love the word of God. It lights my path and gives me comfort. Help me not get so comfortable that I don't reach out with the message of the cross to a hurting and lost society who needs you desperately. The truth will indeed set us free. Bring revival Lord. 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.

FORGETTING AN OFFENSE

Has something occurred in your life you can not seem to let go of and
it is driving a wedge of hurt or anger towards the offender? Maybe it
is a friend,a spouse, a girlfriend, a boyfriend, a family member, or a
co worker? Perhaps you think they were heartless and cruel and you

deserve to feel the way you do, but does harboring this anger or ill

feeling towards someone get you anywhere? The answer is NO!

So what do you do about it when you feel left out, hurt, betrayed, or
forgotten? Do you "pick the scab" so to speak causing you to feel
anger and be offended even more or do you do what God would want and
turn the other cheek and let it go? Maybe you have already said
something to the person or someone else and wish you had not. It is

never too late to start again and mend your heart and the

relationship. Maybe the other person is not even aware that they hurt

or offended you. It is always a good time to try again.

Taking offense against others is not a God given thing. This is not a
trait you should want to possess. It is easy to become offended and
consequently bitter as a result, when focused on yourself. Give up
your right to be angry or hostile. God does not want His children to
be bickering and having bad feelings about each other. Especially
married couples need to learn their spouses "love language" and need

to be willing to say they messed up and ask forgiveness. If your

spouse is unaware he or she hurt you then just drop it and move on as
to not keep the offense alive. We are supposed to be God's children
and act like Christ. Harboring a bad attitude or a grudge has you

working on Satan's team,not God's! (Note:If it is something deeper in
a marriage perhaps counseling should be sought).

What do you do if you are caught up in this trap Satan likes to lay
for Christians? You know you cannot very well focus on your "love
walk" and getting closer to God if bad feelings exist. Ephesians
4:31(NIV) says to 'Get rid of all bitterness, rage, and anger,
brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.' Try to let go
and let God do a work in your heart and life and do not always try to
win your battles.

PRAYER: Lord I love you and I do not want to break your heart by
harboring bad feelings in my heart towards those who might have hurt
me in some way. Help me start this new year making an effort with your
help to be different regardless of a situation around me. In Jesus'
name. Amen.

WHY BE OFFENDED?

Do you know Satan loves to get people offended? It ruins friendships. It starts fights in church meetings. Divides families. It separates us from God. This is one of Satan's specialties when people get mad and take offense and refuse to let things go. Obviously something has to give or the people involved will never speak again.

I know of two brothers that for over three years have not spoken even though living in the same town. Very sad indeed for the parents. And to think it was over something that could have been talked over, but unfortunately  these two men refuse to budge. Neither one wanted to humble himself and admit wrongdoing.

Being misunderstood causes offense. Politics often cause friends of opposite parties to be offended. I am sure you can think of many incidents of how people get offended or how you may  have even taken offense. Do you think Jesus likes this? Absolutely not. Misspoken words or something people do not often see eye to eye on, can cause a real breech in a relationship. To keep things peaceful,  talking is necessary as well as being willing to forgive and move on.

Several years ago I had a close friend who no longer wants to be my friend because of something I mistakenly did. She says she has forgiven me but apparently not enough to let me back into her circle of friends or to not be blocked on her Facebook page. I find this very sad. Two believers especially should be able to sit down and pray and resolve things. When self and pride get in the way it is a whole new ballgame so to speak. I had no choice but to let it go and move on.

Offense is really a tool the enemy can use to even have church members at odds with each other. When we forget Jesus and are so focused on ourselves it is a recipe for trouble. Stop an offense before it springs up.

Be willing to forgive, forget, and move on instead of getting your way. In Ecclesiastes 7:9 says "Do not be quickly provoked in your spirit for anger resides in the bosom of fools." Proverbs 18:19 says " A brother offended is more unyielding than a strong city, and quarreling is like the bars of a castle."
Do you need to forgive someone today who has hurt you or offended you? Why not give it to the Lord and just let it go.

PRAYER: Lord God it is easy to be offended when we are hurt by someone. Help me learn to overlook things that could escalate into a bitter, revengeful spirit. You want us to be loving and kind and  not someone wanting to get back at people. Help me show love and learn to forgive. In Jesus Name. Amen.

KEEP BEING NICE EVEN WHEN YOU DON'T FEEL LIKE IT

Has anyone ever been mean and nasty to you? Could be a friend, a stranger, a family member, someone you work with, a passing rude motorist, or perhaps a boss. You humanly just get so angry you feel justified wanting to tell them off. First of all if you don't gain some self control and you end up spouting off to your employer you could likely be fired. It is best in all situations to hold your tongue. What good will getting your way or getting the last word do anyway? Do you want to stoop to the level of the person hurting you with mean words or actions or rise above it? This takes practice but to maintain the peace that Christ wants you to have it is best to overlook an offense.

 The scenario of lawsuits comes to mind. Let's say someone did something to you or a family member and you want to get back at them. You decide to hire an attorney and seek damages. Isn't it best just to let things go? I know of someone who could have pursued a defamation of character lawsuit to get back at their reputation being damaged but chose the 'high road' of letting it go. "But what they did to me is not right" you might say. "They killed my family member because of bad driving and I want them to suffer" is a common response. Why not let it go and let God heal and try to forgive? "But wait, they stole my idea and got the credit" you might say. Once again what will you really achieve other than more anger and bitterness by trying to get even and settle the score. Best to let it go.

 In an argument someone has to be the one to end it. Why keep just trying to get the last word?

James 1:19-20 are two great verses to commit to memory. They say "My dear brothers take note of this, everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to get angry. For man's anger does not bring about the the righteousness life God desires."

Seek to be a peacemaker. Your life and those people around you will be better off because of you seeking peace instead of chaos. John 14:27 says "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid."

PRAYER: Lord give me the strength I need to overlook an offense, be kind to mean people and to seek peace and harmony instead. Give me the ability to love those who are unlovable and to walk in peace. In Jesus name. Amen.

GRUDGES: GOOD FOR NO ONE

Has someone or something  hurt you in the past and you just feel so mad you can hardly think straight? You say you do not 'hate' anyone but yet you can not seem to let this hurt or offense go. It is time to move on in life and let God take this off your shoulders and if this person is still in your life do not be ugly to them. Should they ever contact you try to be nice. Show mercy and forgiveness even when you do not feel like it. If you do not think you can do this alone you do not have to. Call on Jesus who is always there ready to help you with your battles. The problem  could be a variety of things such as broken marriages, broken friendships, betrayals,  loss of a job for no apparent reason, stolen ideas at work, being passed over for something you felt deserving of and on the list goes.

Let things go. Move on. Do not look back. Stay positive. Know that you will not be in this rut forever. Let go of disappointments and pain.Focus on something good even if it is hard to. Start praising God even if you do not feel like it. Admit there is nothing you can do alone and God has a plan and will direct your steps. 1 Peter 5:7 says "Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you."

Ephesians 4:31 says "Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice." Psalm 37:8 says "Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret--it leads only to evil."  Proverbs 3:5-6 says to "trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean  not to your own understanding, in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your path." Romans 12:17-21 says "Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone.  If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord.  On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him;  if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good."

Release your bitterness over things you do not understand to God. Do not get bitter, upset, confused and angry but ask God to calm your spirit and soul. Ask God for peace. Instead of getting bitter get better. Learn from problems in life and move on and use them to grow more into the person Christ wants you to be. If you have not asked Jesus to be Lord of your life you can do that right now. Don't allow anger and bitterness to get you defeated.

James 1:2-3 says "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance." Thank the Lord for the things that happen to help your faith grow.

PRAYER: Lord thank you for family and friends you have in my life. I thank you for situations I have had to go through that have made me aware of my need for you Lord. Forgive me if I have harbored bitterness towards anyone in my heart. I release that to you now. Give me your strength to walk each day victoriously with you. In Jesus Name. Amen.

Note: I have included a link to another wonderful praise song that will help lift your spirits.
http://youtu.be/KuGRaCrg9hE