By: Elizabeth Haarberg

Humbled Instead of Offended

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Recently I was on the verge of being offended by something someone said to me. The most painful part of the interaction was that it was someone I thought knew me and was in my corner. While processing the pain, I realized I was about to be offended. I asked God to intervene and intervene He did!

He showed me that even though the words I heard were not true, the interaction could be used to humble me. I thanked God for the hurtful words and I could feel the urge to be offended leave while I praised Him. The freedom His clarity brought me was very powerful.

“Do not take to heart all the things that people say, lest you hear your servant cursing you. Your heart knows that many times you yourself have cursed others.” Ecclesiastes 7:21-22 English Standard Version

Jesus knew that his actions when He was on Earth could cause offense.

“And blessed is the one who is not offended by me.” Luke 7:23 English Standard Version

Sometimes the lessons are wrapped in the attempt to offend us. If we can just push the offense to the side, we will get something out of the interaction or situation that God is trying to get across to us.

What did He do that was so offensive? He healed the sick, raised the dead, and gave freedom to the captives. Some of the religious Jews were so offended by Jesus they could not see the life he was breathing on the world. Because of the blindness of their offense, they wanted to get rid of Jesus because He said and did things that were not correct in the eyes of the religious Jews.

The easy way is to accept the offense, the more difficult path is to let God show you how to reject the offer of offense and create a way of growth instead. Pray for His hand to guide and shield when traversing relationships that are easily offend-able.

Copyright Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Colorado Springs, Colorado