Yesterday my associate pastor brought a word on offense and damage it can do. It seemed to me he had peeked into my heart and found his sermon topic because I was a woman who’d let offense take root.
It hit home and it hit hard. I left church to attend a funeral. Sitting in the church pew I realized the brevity of life.
Driving home I cried. Hard. Because I knew I had bitterness in me. And I was ready to let it go.
Uprooting bitterness requires major spiritual surgery. But left untreated it kills us spiritually, emotionally and even physically.
I heard a quote once that reads “Offense is an event. Being offended is a decision.”
Offenses happen. But offense isn’t the enemy. Choosing to be offended is. The only person offense damages is the offended.
Getting offended is nothing new. The Pharisees became offended at Christ as did the folks in His own hometown. Mark 3. Mark 6:3.
Christ simply overlooked it and went on with His business and made the choice to not get offended.
The Pharisees didn’t appreciate His Truth and the hometown crowd didn’t appreciate His purpose. And sadly, neither experienced any spiritual growth, miracles or healing. They were too busy being offended.
That’s what getting or staying offended does. It hinders, stifles and holds you hostage to your emotions.
Many are still offended about things that happened decades ago.
They’re still dragging baggage that gets heavier with each passing year waiting on an explanation or apology that may never come.
Listen, the enemy is no idiot. He knows our weak spots and aims his deadly arrow with the intent to kill, steal and destroy.
So here I sit in the coffee shop fresh off of spiritual surgery after having ten years of hurt and bitterness uprooted. But I feel so much better physically, spiritually and emotionally.
When you are given the opportunity to get offended, remember you have a choice. I do too. Let’s choose not to get offended. It’s not worth it. Ever.
Sandra Hubbard
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