
I used to take this information and go home and have a tantrum for days. Until, one day, God wore me out. You see, God wants the best for you and if you haven't learned a lesson, he doesn't fail you, he keeps allowing you to practice and then will test you again. He does this often, it's called building character, and boy what a challenge it can be!
After several years, I can finally take an offense, when it comes personally to me and I carry it home. I question it. Why were you spoken and why did I get offended? Most times it's because it's an area that I need to learn yet, sometimes it's simply not truth and the enemy is attacking, and sometimes God's got a big plan.
It happened yesterday, a very amazing conversation about life was taking place, we were excited and laughing and enjoying each other and all God had for our lives and I brought up Brittany Maynard, and we shared our brief thoughts, and the conversation found itself in an offense. My friend shared her thoughts about suicide and I simply questioned it to see what she meant. She instantly became offended and shared with me that she felt I was judging her. I tried to explain that I was only trying to "understand" and using questions to do so. I'm not sure I recovered that offense, but I will definitely be praying over it.
Here's my answer to offense. "Where is it written?"
Folks, I've spent enough time listening to other peoples opinions, beliefs, and doctrines, and I love them all. I'm one of those people that hear one side and like it and hear the other side and like that one too. I can see both sides and I can understand each side, and then I go with the flow, because really who cares right, these people have a right to live how they want.
Until it affects eternity.
It's fine to live how you want, but there is a foundation set in place for us to understand ethical, moral, and eternal laws. We have an eternity and we will be entering in. Where we enter in is our choice. God's word is the way, though Jesus. The Word became flesh and DWELT among us.
I respect people and there freewill, however when it comes to what I believe, I look to God to find out. I listen to people and if a question arises I ask. "Where is it written." If offense comes by that, I know exactly who is starting up the chaos and contention and it would be Satan, who comes to steal, kill and destroy any seed or relationship that is planted in your life.
Next time you get offended, simply try this... "where is it written" (in God's word that is)
Have a great day friends, today challenge yourself to capture offense and deal with it.