QUESTION #5:

Are we offended easily? When people fail to notice us and pass by without speaking, does it hurt? If others are made much of and we are neglected, how do we feel about it?

The root words that make up the word offense mean to strike against, annoyance, misdeed, a hurt, or displeasure. It’s clear that when something is offensive to us, that pain is involved on our behalf. This doesn’t mean however that we have to permanently accept these emotions and retaliate with an offensive retraction. An offense can build “a fence” between you and another or between you and God.

Take these thoughts into consideration today. Could the person who offended you be an opportunity to extend Christ’s love? Could it be that the other person is hurting,thus their actions have nothing to do with you?

APPLICATION:
1. Realize that another’s actions are about them, they aren’t about you. Take inventory of a time when you’ve personalized another’s actions. Pray and release them.

2. Ask God to tear down the fences in your heart that are keeping Him and a his love out of filling and flowing through your life.

SCRIPTURES:

Ephesians 2:14, 15 (MSG)
The Messiah has made things up between us so that we’re now together on this, both non-Jewish outsiders and Jewish insiders. He tore down the wall we used to keep each other at a distance. He repealed the law code that had become so clogged with fine print and footnotes that it hindered more than it helped. Then he started over.

Psalm 119:165
Those who love your law have great peace. Nothing causes them to stumble [or be offended].

Proverbs 17:9
He who covers an offense promotes love; But he who repeats a matter separates best friends.