If I could pick only one verse and frame it in my new home as a constant reminder, I would choose Proverbs 19:11, hands down: “Good sense makes one slow to anger, and it is his glory to overlook an offense.” Yeah, I’m not so hot at living like this.
Oh, I’ve learned how to keep my cool on the outside. That’s easy for me. I’m a stuffer. But on the inside, I’m steaming hot and bothered more times than I’d dare admit.
These days, wedding planning has served to show me just how easily offended I am.
Is there a life circumstance that is squeezing the true colors out of your heart?
For example, if someone told me they couldn’t host an out-of-town wedding party guest overnight, it was far easier for me to assume they were selfish and inhospitable rather than remembering I didn’t have the full picture of their current schedule and assuming they had a good reason for saying no.
Or if someone said they’d charge me more for a wedding service than they’d originally said they would, I assumed they were greedy and using me rather than assuming they forgot the original price they’d told me.
You might not be planning a wedding right now, but is there a life circumstance squeezing the true colors out of your heart?
Do you feel angry? Insulted? Provoked? Offended? Downright mad? Are you shocked someone could be so selfish and thoughtless toward you?
Instead of overlooking an offense (Prov. 19:11), are you doing the exact opposite? Slowly circling it, taking it in from every angle?
I wonder how often we’re needlessly offended by perceived offenses—things that aren’t even real offenses.
What if—rather than shining a spotlight on others’ offenses—we sought to uncover our own?
What if you and I were to give the same attention to our actual offenses toward a holy God?
How many times a day do I live in a way that displeases Him? How many times a day do I ignore Him? Disregard Him? Rebel against the laws He has given for my good?
What if—rather than shining a spotlight on others’ offenses—I sought to uncover my own?
Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy (Prov. 28:13).
My God has forgiven me my actual offenses by punishing His perfect Son, Jesus, in my place. As a result, He has removed my transgressions from me, as far as the east is from the west (Ps. 103:12).
How, then, can I refuse to let go of perceived offenses that others commit against me?
If you find yourself battling offenses like me, here are a few steps you can take:
- Give it to God, again and again, in prayer.
- Remind yourself that you don’t have all the facts. You can’t see the other person’s heart. You’re not the Judge; God is.
- Assume the best of others instead of assuming the worst.
- Get to the root. Why are you so angry and offended?
- Examine your own life. Are you guilty of the very same “sin” you’re accusing your offender of?
I’d love to hear from you. Are you often offended? If so, what do you do? How do you respond—internally and externally?
The Next Time You’re Offended was originally posted on LiesYoungWomenBelieve.com.
Paula (Hendricks) Marsteller is a compassionate, bold Christian communicator offering you gospel hope, thought-provoking questions, and practical help along the way.
