Offences
“How wonderful it is, how pleasant,
when
brothers live together in harmony.”
Psalm 133:1
We cannot
control others’ actions, but we can control our own. Most of us have heard the
example of the lady who is having a rough day and is snapping at the people
around her, but as soon as the phone rings she answers with a sweet tone. I’m
sure this has happened to most of us, and it goes to show that we can control
our actions and words if we have sufficient motivation.
When
I hear the word offended, I also hear the word choice. In my mind, to be
offended is a choice, whether the offence is great or small, perceived or
justified (meaning someone did something to intentionally hurt you). Somehow,
most of us, without realizing it, expect more from our spouse, family, friends
and church leaders than we expect from ourselves. As Christian women, taking
offences seems to be a justifiable sin.
Yes, I just called it a sin, and here’s why.
When
you take in an offence, you are by default choosing unforgiveness, destroying
unity, and hindering yourself from service.
As I was going through a bible study this past summer about community, I
started realizing how taking offences totally works against everything God
wants for his children. Throughout the word we find that we are responsible to
each other for; encouragement, reproof, comfort, accountability and teaching.
You cannot serve someone in these ways if you are holding a grudge. If we are looking out for others, we do not
have the time to focus on others offending us.
“He who says he is in the light, and hates his brother, is in darkness until
now.”
1 John 2:9
I therefore the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love,"
Ephesians 4:1-2
When we allow offences to come in
and take root, it becomes harder and harder to get rid of it. More often than
not it leads to gossip, bitterness, slander, and unfortunately people are
brought into the ugly mess that have no business being there. I have been in situations where I was brought
into a mess of offences, and all kinds of people were getting offended over one
person’s offence, meawhile someone’s reputation was being marred through it. I
have come to realize something, never take for granted that there are ALWAYS
two sides of the story (no matter how convincing or how close a friend it is)
and never spread offences further. If
someone is complaining about the church, tell them to go to the church. If
someone is complaining about a friend, suggest them to talk it over with that
friend and perhaps you can arrange it for them as well. That is how you can
help and keep things from getting ugly and keep your conscience clear.
If
this then is the will of God, to live and work in harmony with those around us,
well, how do we do it? First of all remember that allowing offences to take
root is sin, and it is something everyone needs to fight against to keep their
heart pure. Whenever your mind drifts to how someone has offended you, remind yourself of how Jesus treated
those who plotted against him. I am so humbled when I think of Judas; although
Jesus knew his heart from the beginning, he still let him be the treasurer and
take part in some of the most intimate parts of his life! Could we do that to
someone who was taking advantage of us? Jesus loved him despite his faults,
it’s a lifestyle that he calls us to as well. If you are living a life of
taking in offences and you don’t know how to get rid of it, I’d like to share a
few things that have helped me. When you
pray, don’t be afraid to be 100% honest with God. When I was struggling with
specific people, my prayer would sometimes
go something like this. “Oh God, I really hate this person, I hate what
they did to me and how their actions are affecting those around them. I really would be happy if I never saw them
again and I definitely can’t see myself living in harmony with them. Lord, this
is how I feel, and I know it is not coming from you. PLEASE change my heart,
and give me your love for them. Help me to see where they are struggling and
how I could possibly help them. I can’t see myself having compassion for them,
but thank you Lord for your example, and that you can change my heart.” It’s
simple and honest, and I have often found great relief in praying like that,
God really has changed my heart towards people that have offended me. Remember
that you also need to retrain your mind. Keep in memory at least one verse to
bring you back to focus. I often used Philippians 2:1-8 and 4:8-9. If you need
help, ask others to pray for you, just mind you don’t share anything that will
turn the prayer request into a gossip tool. Ask for prayer for your own
judgmental attitude and to be able to have the love of God towards someone.
There is power when you share your weakness, it’s part of what breaks us down
and makes us usable.
Keep strong and encouraged sisters!
“Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers a multitude of sins.”
Proverbs 10:12
--
Mary Sue Bueckert
Beacon Bible Chapel
