Resisting Offense Through Love

Love is a recurring and strong theme throughout the Bible. We are told to love our neighbors, as ourselves. Love our husbands, love our wives, love our children. It seems we are all capable of love, but to love in such a way that offense cannot take root is something that has to be worked on.

I know it has been a difficult task for me. Through past hurts, I admit I have become somewhat hardened and tough and don't easily give love to those who offend me at times. It is something I have to work at on a continuing basis.

Hurt feelings seem to be my biggest issue and I am slowly overcoming that by loving more, being slower to take offense, looking objectively at the situation. Everyone is on their own journey and sometimes they will slip up and be harsh in tone or word or they might do something to provoke us. Sometimes we are so quick to take offense that we do so without a reason. We assume that someone is being rude, offensive or provoking us when they actually have no idea that what they have said or done is not sitting well with us. We sometimes imagine offense where none was intended by being overly sensitive and touchy.

We have to be strong enough to let offenses roll off of us. We have to be humble enough to admit there may not be an actual offense. We have to love enough to see the person without the offense being on the forefront of our mind. We have to forgive and we have to let it go. We cannot continue to dwell on past wrongs or we will never be free of an easily offended spirit.

It is difficult. It takes practice and we have to be willing to examine our reactions and know when we are actually creating offense when none exist. In a situation where we could take offense, we must practice tolerance and understanding. We must change our reactions so that others can change their actions. Then a cycle of offense and offended spirit can begin to change between two people.

It helps me to think of how we react to our children as being a good example of how to react to others. It is easy to forgive children when they say things or do things. If my five year old son says he hates me, I don't usually get all defensive and offended and hold a grudge for days. I let it go. I realize he is speaking out of anger or frustration. I love him anyway and I have no problem telling him so.

"Love is patient; love is kind. Love does not envy; is not boastful; is not conceited; does not act improperly; is not selfish; is not provoked; does not keep a record of wrongs; finds no joy in unrighteousness, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things." 1 Corinthians 13:4-7

"A personal offense is like a scratch on a phonograph record. I couldn't move my thoughts beyond my pain. It kept repeating, as if I were stuck within its grooves. There was only one way to play beyond it. I had to forgive them, so my heart could take its form again." Laurel Lee

Resources

Day 10 - The Importance of The Company We Keep

Bible Tools - Topical Studies, Offense　

Brainy Quote - Laurel Lee Quote