Don't Be Offended

Have you noticed? In recent years, we have become an easily offended society. Every special interest group has key words and "triggers" that you must stay clear of, lest you unsuspectingly offend an individual. Oftentimes, you will find yourself trying to navigate a field of "land mines" in a conversation. It makes it very hard to converse with people for fear that you will say something in innocence, only to find yourself at the receiving end of a backlash of resentment.

The saddest part? The things we should find offensive, the things that God finds offensive, we now overlook. And the things that the Bible tells us not to tolerate? That's what we tolerate.

And so, in our "enlightened" society, this offended society has now found a way to cope. We just don't talk to each other. Oh sure, people may shout at each other on television and Facebook and social media. But real discourse? Nope. Civility? Not so much. Isolation rather than fellowship.

The devil sure does some effective damage, doesn't he?

Most of the time, I'm not one to be easily offended. I usually let stuff roll off me, like water off a duck's back. But every now and then, someone will make a comment that may rub me the wrong way, and off I go in a huff. And it's usually not a stranger. Nope. It's oftentimes someone I love.


I looked at what the Bible has to say on this topic one day, and I found these wise words:

"Good sense makes one slow to anger, and it is his glory to overlook an offense." Proverbs 19:11

Hmm. So getting huffy and walking around in a snit isn't what the Lord wants me to do? Surprise, surprise.

In a sermon I heard recently from 2 Corinthians 5, Paul calls us to a "ministry of reconciliation", and goes on to exhort us to be "ambassadors for Christ". That is a big part of my vocation, my calling to love God and love my neighbor, to serve my family and those nigh.

Good sense!

I made this bible journal page as a reminder that I don't have to rush in to touchy territory. I can overlook it. To my glory. And to God's.

Soli Deo Gloria!