It is Monday night, May 19th, about 45 minutes before midnight and my mind is racing. I am in a quandary. To put it bluntly, I am in a situation where I am not wanting to do what I led the discussion on yesterday in small groups. I feel like a hypocrite, yet at the same time, I feel justified by my behavior. I don't like being like this. Not one bit.
In our worship at Sherrod Avenue yesterday, our minister, Justin Pannell, began a series entitled, "No Offense." Justin talked about being easily offended by the actions of other people, both in and outside of the church. If you ever went to church for any length of time, you have heard these: "Someone was sitting in MY seat," or "I didn't like any of the songs we sang today," or my favorite, "Did you hear what the preacher said today? He might as well have called me out by name. I swear he was looking right at me when he made that last point."
In one of his first points, Justin noted, "Being offended is one of Satan's most effective weapons that he uses on us." To make it worse, too often we don't even know the Evil One is using us, or taking up residence in my brain, like he is with me right now.
I know deep in my heart, despite my thoughts, that nothing good comes from being easily offended or carrying around a grudge. I am not a person who is prone to being offended, so not only am I offended by an earlier incident, but I am also furious at myself for thinking this way. Ugh! I hate this.
I am reminded what Paul said in Romans 7. He wrote to the church in Rome, "For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it." I know exactly what he means.
My small group met for lunch and study after class yesterday, and we had a great discussion. Nearly everyone there has had trouble with "being offended," at some point and having difficulty overcoming it. Side note: I just love small groups. I think the comments are usually more from the heart and more sincere. It is the baring of the soul with what is bothering you, what is eating away at you, how Satan is trying to take control.
Following yesterday's lesson and our small group I felt good about it all. As I mentioned earlier, this is not something I usually have to deal with. But there was an occurrence earlier today that just lit my fire. Not only did I disagree, I was convinced the other person was taking this particular stance for all the wrong reasons. I was offended. I was not practicing what I was preaching to my small group just 24 hours before. I was not having very loving thoughts.
In his lessons, Justin always has "lesson takeaways," in other words, if you don't remember anything else, remember these points. His takeaways were "Blessings for being unoffendable."
1. You are in a better position to hear what you need to do.
2. You can love people better.
3. Your joy isn't easily stolen.
4. You stay on the mission Christ gave you.
You have to ask yourself, "Do I want to make a point, or make a difference?" I am convinced I am right, and my gut says don't back down. But what will others think by that stance? How is God praised if I display that kind of attitude? Fact is, he isn't. If I am going to make a difference, my love must lead the way. Always.
I don't like myself right now, but I'll be ok in the morning. God's love never fails.
Be nice to each other, don't be like me and be easily offended. It's not right.
Be good to each other. Till next time.
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