Motivational Monday for Moms {Dealing with Offense}

Main Verse:  Proverbs 19:11 " A person's wisdom yields patience; it is one's glory to overlook an offense." (NIV)
Also Proverbs 17:9 and Ecclesiastes 10:4

Main Thought: Dealing with Offense

Message:

I don't know what comes to mind when you see the word offense.  I know it is different for each of us because we have been offended by different people in different ways.  I do think it is safe to say we have all suffered from some sort of offense at the hands of another person (or by a word, or act, etc.).  How do we deal with an offense?  A couple of years ago my husband, Adam, read a book called 'The Bait of Satan' by John Bevere.  Something really stood out to him that he then brought to our family and church leadership- Refuse to be offended.  What?  How in the world do you do that?  The way you deal with it is to refuse it from the beginning of the opportunity.  I think this is an absolute to learn as adults/parents by the help of the Holy Spirit then something invaluable to pass on to our children.  At every turn in school, with a sibling, friend, co-worker, boss there is the opportunity to be offended at something that is said or done.  When we are offended we see the event that happened as a personal attack or possibly not the way WE would do such and such.  It might be helpful to first take a look at the situation and try and determine if what occurred was due to a misunderstanding, secondly try and empathize with the other person.  Are they going through a rough time, do they feel attacked... It really is simple.  How can we refuse forgiveness to others so easily when God sent his only Son to die for ME and YOU? REFUSE to be offended.  It does no good whatsoever.  I am not saying that there aren't times that what transpires  is absolutely wrong or that we turn a blind eye to bullying, abuse, etc.  I am talking about petty things that we (I) can really let get under my skin.  Things that, if I am really honest about, are absolutely unimportant. This is something I am still working on and that we work to teach our children.  Take some time to reflect on the Scriptures above and allow the Lord to speak to your heart about where you are in this whole offense thing.  Try it-refuse to be offened-and see how free you might feel!

Happy "Refuse to be Offended" Monday (and Tuesday and ......),
Tiffany