How many times a day do we get easily offended by what we hear and see? It seems like it really does not take much to tick us off, especially with our family members.  Drive in your car for a few minutes and road rage starts bubbling up.   Get on social media, and from one comment we click the unfriend button. Politics instigate heated arguments and rage in some people. Whether it is a stranger or someone close, we get offended. Offense is “annoyance, resentment, or anger brought about by a perceived insult or disregard for oneself or one’s standards or principles.”

CONSEQUENCE OF OFFENSE

The number one effect of offense is that it can cause tension or a rift in relationships.  If we let our emotions get the best of us, we will withdraw from people or become aggressive in our tone with them. In addition, we may get a negative response from the people who offended us. Proverbs 18:19  states “An offended friend is harder to win back than a fortified city. Arguments separate friends like a gate locked with bars.”  We must decide how much time and energy we will allow to be taken from us in exchange for being offended. Remember that every minute spent in offense is 60 seconds without happiness. Is it worth it?  Proverbs 19:11 states, “If you are sensible, you will control your temper. When someone wrongs you, it is a great virtue to ignore it.”

PONDER ON THE FOLLOWING SCRIPTURES ABOUT OFFENSE:

“Do not take to heart all the things that people say…” – Ecclesiastes 7:21a

“With all humility and gentleness, with patience, bear with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” – Ephesians 4:2-3

“Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.” – Colossians 3:13

“Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger.” – James 1:19

PRAY THIS PRAYER:
“Father God, I praise you for who you are. There is none like you in all the earth.  You are perfect in all your ways.  Thank you for being so near to me!  I love you with all of my heart.  I celebrate your wonderful works.  You look beyond my faults and love me unconditionally.  Thank you for your grace and mercy.   Forgive me for being offended by unimportant things.  Lord, I want to be offended only towards the things that offend you.  Remove anger and bitterness from my heart.  Help me to let it go and release people that have offended me.  I forgive them.  I ask for your peace that flows like a river.  I speak a blessing over those who have offended me.  In Jesus’ name – Amen.”