Offense

“When you take offense, you build a fence. Let it go.” Steven Furtick

Have you noticed how hyper-sensitive people are these days? It seems that we are just looking for a reason to be offended at someone. Taking offense is dangerous because that is where hatred and violence are birthed.

I was listening to a sermon recently by Steven Furtick on the subject and realized the deep truth that he laid out to his congregation. When we take offense, we start building a fence between us and the perpetrator. The fence eventually becomes so high and so wide that we can’t get over it any more. What can we do? Let it go.

It is easier said than done, but great advice when you are offended. Let it go. If you hold on to it, you will find yourself chewing on it over and over like a cow chewing its cud. That becomes your reality. The problem is, we assume too many things about other people.

We all have our battles and struggles to deal with. The person who offended you is no different. Don’t let their drama become your play. Why would you allow anyone to control you? It doesn’t make sense when you think about it rationally, but when emotions run high, the brain goes bye-bye.

Give others what you yourself would want them to give you: The benefit of the doubt. Quit thinking the worst of others and assuming they are evil, mean, lazy, or whatever. Perhaps they have some great trauma going on in their life and are just taking it out on whoever is the closest by. I am not saying that is a justification for bad behavior, but it does help to understand why someone is behaving in a way that is offensive to you.

Next time you are tempted to take offense, let it go. You will be better off for it and so will they…particularly if you respond with a kind word or act towards them.

Shalom!

Dan Skognes

 

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