How can one be void of offences? Is there really any possibility? A cruel employer, a bossy father, an overly protective mother, an insensitive spouse, the nosy coworkers, the ruthless stranger…and the list is endless.
Daily, we are faced with temptations in their different forms. Certain happenings in life will never ask for our permission before they occur. They just happen…as the popular saying goes, “Life happens.” No one in their right senses ever bargains for troubles or offenses. Still, you know our real rival – the enemy goes about like a lion looking for whom to deceive and devour (1st Peter 5:8). I refer to the devil as the real rival because that is exactly who he is. The human beings that “step on your last nerves” and cause you to shed hot tears are not the real enemies. The devil is. Remember, our battle is not against human beings but against wicked spiritual forces. (Ephesians 6:12)
To live above offences, the Word of God has to be our to-go, to-stay, to-live-with. The Word of God ought to be our pivot and stand. This precious gift of God to mankind helps us to put ourselves in check and causes the real enemy to fail at his plans time and time again. Friend, to think that offenses won’t come to you is to hope to die, really! Surely, they will come – in their number! But guess what? Your RESPONSE to offences is the game changer!
Dearest One, you might not be able to determine some intentions and actions towards you. Still, you are in control of your choices; your thoughts, actions and inaction. Thinking on the wrong things will only brew more evil thoughts. Brooding on past hurts, offenses and disappointments is sheer poison to one’s heart. It’ll make one bitter and resentful. Furthermore, it’ll make you vulnerable to the enemy’s tricks. Never think on them. Let your mind dwell on better things.
“Summing it all up, friends, I’d say you’ll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse.” Philippians 4:8 [MSG]
There are several ways to respond to offenses. There are ways that seem befitting in our eyes (an eye for an eye AKA sweet revenge) and there is the right way. Responding to offenses the right way is all the defense we need against the enemy. The right way is the WORD way. A good number of us trivialize the Word of God a lot. We quote, unquote and misquote the scriptures to suit certain situations that do not honor God. We tend to forget that God’s Word is LIFE itself. The sacred scriptures contains in it all that pertains to life and godliness. It shatters darkness. It’s the all in one defense. The above italicized scripture admonishes us on the kind of thoughts and meditations we should harbor.
Think on Proverbs. Meditate on Psalms. Mutter Ecclesiastes. By all means, choke the offences with the Word of God! Remember – it is only what you feed that grows. Sometimes, we might lose ‘it’ and even be tempted to ‘fight’ back. In that moment, we should pause and ask ourselves “Is this fleeting moment of getting even worth the glory of God that lies ahead of me?”
In a bid to defend ourselves after being talked down on, bickered at, gruesomely maltreated, we just want to have sweet revenges. As tempting as that sounds, true followers of Christ do NOT get even or pay evil for evil. No, we do not. Regardless of how bad it might hurt, we pray that God heals our hearts as we forgive and move on to the next phase of our lives.
So Dear One, do you currently feel offended, hurt, betrayed? What offences are you still holding on to? To forge ahead, you must let those weights off you. The year is fast coming to an end. 2019 is almost here. Trust me – you really do not want to see another day with the grudges still held dear to you. It’s okay to cry to God. Tell Him to heal your hurting heart. Ask Him for grace to forgive your offender(s). Do what you can while you can. Life is too precious to live with offences in your heart.
For emphasis sake, I’ll repeat what I mentioned earlier – Offences will come. Surely, they will. Nonetheless, my earnest prayer for you is that you will continually choose the right response to offenses and I also pray that we will never be sources of offences to anyone in Jesus’s Name. Can I get a resounding amen? (Luke 17:1).
Mighty (wo)man of valor, lift up your head, put on your whole armor (Ephesians 6:11) and live your best life!
With Selfless Love,
Abba’s Daughter – Your Sister
