Impossible Offenses | Lifesigns Magazine

In Luke 17:1 it says, “It is impossible that offenses won’t happen. (paraphrase)”

Wow! That’s not a good, encouraging word, but it’s one that is 100% correct. We all get offended by one thing or another. We all have feelings. The problem is not the offense, but what you and I do with it. We must learn to deal with it properly, or it will control us. Offenses not dealt with create a downward spiral. When we don’t deal with them properly, it makes us more easily offended, which steals constantly.

So how do you deal with offenses?

1. Realize you are not perfect. You might say, “Well, I know that,” but we act like we don’t. People make mistakes. If you understand that you make mistakes as well, you can have a little grace and mercy on others.

2. People can have different opinions. It’s okay for people to not agree with you. I see so many people getting angry and offended because someone has a different opinion. Your opinion is not always right (see number one). God gave people the right to think and believe what they want. So should you.

3. Bring real offenses and hurts to the Lord. (This is so important.) Finding out why does not help. Run to the Lord. Bring Him the pieces of your heart. He’s the healer. He will ask you to forgive. Forgiveness is not a feeling, but a choice. Unforgiveness is a jail for your soul, and forgiveness brings freedom. It doesn’t mean that what they did was okay. Forgiveness means that you’re not going to let their mistakes steal your future by making you bitter.

4. Confrontation is not the first go to. You might have to be the one to make adjustments to your life. And once you forgive, try not to put yourself in the same situation. You must determine—regarding the offense—if this was a mistake or a pattern. (The Lord helps you determine.)

5. Learn to live more and more being unoffendable. Realize how much love and grace God has given you and then give it to others. I’m not the center of it all, and neither are you. Jesus is. It’s not about me. It’s not about you. It’s about Him.

My life belongs to Him. The more I realize that, I stop worrying so much about myself. I long to honor the King.

6. Stop telling everybody about your offense. The more you speak it, the more power you give it over your life. Be quick to forgive and stop thinking about it.

Satan uses offenses to steal everything good in our life. I encourage you in this: if you are offended, bring it to the Lord and let it go. Don’t allow Satan to steal your future by something that happened in the past.