By Debra Franklin-Rothrock, guest blogger
Jeremiah 1:1-2:30 / Philippians 4:1-23 / Psalm 75:1-10 / Proverbs 24:17-20
Okay, so I am admitting it, here is one of my most difficult struggles; it’s remaining unoffended. There, I said it. I don’t like to admit it. But it is true. I’m recovering; I am not as easily offended as I once was. But honestly, it is a day-by-day undertaking that requires a good deal of my attention.
Maybe you’re not like this, (I hope not!) but I find myself puzzling over the real meaning behind people’s texts, looking for points of approval; instead of hearing simple statements, desperately wanting others to understand and commend all of my motivations and/or work.
And let me share with you; this is not a reasonable, realistic, or rational expectation! Not only that, but the self-absorption and the mental gymnastics required to maintain it are all too time-consuming. Not to mention non-productive.
Wait a minute, doesn’t it matter what other people think about me? Aren’t I supposed to let my light shine so that others see my good works?
Well, actually, NO! It is my job to do the good things, the kind things, the services. But it requires my pure heart. The rest of Matthew 5:15-16 reads, “…so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” English Standard Version, (ESV) It’s God who gets the glory, whether I am understood or not.
Proverbs 24:19 (from today’s reading list) says, “Don’t be angrily offended over evildoers or be agitated by them…” The Passion Translation, (TPT) If I am offended, is it not the same as blaming the offender for doing or being evil?
Even if they are truly evil, an enemy, or mean-spirited, am I not told by Jesus to forgive my enemies and pray for them?[1]
Sure, the topic in question may require some further clarification. However, coming into a conversation from a place of offendedness muddies up the water and fosters defensiveness. Psalm 119:165, (ESV) says, “A brother offended is more unyielding than a strong city.”
Truthfully, a person by whom you feel offended most likely committed the crime unintentionally.
Several places in the Bible caution against quarreling, which by definition includes at least one of the engaging parties feeling offended. In another one of our Bible readings today, (see Philippians 4:2) Paul urged Euodia and Syntyche to “agree in the Lord” (ESV). If it weren’t a big deal would Paul have called these two ladies out in such a public forum?
So, how do we handle offense? It isn’t easy. One thing that helps me, is asking myself, “How many rights does a dead person have?” The answer would be NONE!
Galatians 2:20 says, “I have been crucified with Christ…” (ESV) Therefore, I have no rights to hang on to; no right to be offended; no right to hurt feelings…
If I experience feelings of offense, hurt, or anger, it is my responsibility to forgive the offending party, give it to the Lord, and continue to seek justice and mercy…only without my offendedness getting in the way.
This is not easy, it takes intentional thinking and taking every thought captive. But: “I find that the strength of Christ’s explosive power infuses me to conquer every difficulty.” Philippians 4:13, (TPT) also from today’s reading.
[1] Matthew 5:44, Paraphrased
