Offense

Offense is something that God has worked on with me tremendously in the past year. I was always (embarrassingly enough) that person who, if you would offend me I would just never speak to you again. Im sure this was a defense mechanism that I had built over time from being hurt. Feeling like if you hurt me once then I would never again give you the chance to do it again.

I wouldn't say I necessarily got offended super easily. But sometimes I would definitely read into the situation way more than I needed to. Leaving me questioning and feeling offended. 

The day that God gave me the revelation that offense is a choice was such a break through for me. We CHOOSE, like many other things to be offended or not. We don't have to sit in offense and hurt. 

I began implementing this right away. And trust me God has definitely tested this a few times in the past year in my life. Someone offended me almost instantly. In that moment I heard the Holy Spirit whisper, you have a choice to make. Whew!! I in that moment choose to give it to God and let go of the offense. I was hurt for a second but choose to not sit in that. I began right away just showing kindness to that person. 

The most amazing things happened after I made that choice. God took over and I swear I haven't even felt like I have had to work on it. Choosing in that instant to give it to God has been so freeing! I have seen this person multiple times since then, and I am telling you, I almost forget that she ever even offended me. I feel the same way about her now as I did before the offense even came. Its as if it never happened. 

This is only one instance, I have had so many things just like this happen since then. I can't explain the freedom that comes along with knowing that it doesn't matter who offends me, I don't have to be offended. And the instant peace that washes over you toward that person when you truly choose with all your heart to forgive and not be offended. God blesses our obedience, and we are called to forgive one another and have grace for one another. When we obey God with this, he takes over and does the hard work for us. 

Colossians 3: 12-15 "Therefore, as Gods chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful."

Another thing that God showed me during this time. God already professed in Matthew 16: 18 "On this rock I will build my Church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it." So satan already knows he can not just come and take over the Church. But what he does do is, he works through the people. One offense & one un-forgiveness at a time. If we allow ourselves to be offended then we are allowing the devil to get a little wedge in there. We can not allow this to happen. 

We need to renew our mind and strength daily with the living Word of God. The more that we practice not taking offense the easier it becomes. Choose right away in that second that you are going to give the offense to God, that you will not allow it to root bitterness and hurt in your heart, and trust me God will bless you in and through this. 

Where are you choosing to Dwell?

I have heard many people say, and I myself have said for many years, “I can’t help it, I’m just a worrier.” This is not the truth, the truth is we choose to worry because we don’t yet know how to trust God in every circumstance. We become good at worrying because we practice it. And the truth is we can in the same way become good at trusting God if we practice it. We need to let our first response in any situation be to trust God. We choose what we dwell in, and today we need to dwell in the shelter of the Most High. Not the lies and worries of the world. 

Psalm 91:1-2 1 “Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadows of the Almighty. 2 I will say of the Lord, ‘He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.’"

Fortress- A large fortified place, A place of exceptional security.

Whatever we choose to dwell in becomes our fortress and our fortress is what surrounds and covers us. If we choose to dwell in negativity and fear then that is exactly what will surround us. We need to dwell on God and his word so that we may be surrounded by Him. 

Im am telling you, my life has changed miraculously since I have learned to rely on God in many circumstances rather then dwell in fear and worry. There is freedom and we don’t have to live lives confined to fear and worry. 

It seems that there is always something to worry about in todays world. I am learning that sometimes being able to rest in His peace requires me to cling to his promises and His Word. Rather than the facts and opinions of this world. We need to stand on what God and His Word says. Sometimes we need to speak of things that aren't, as if they are. We need to have faith to believe that God will follow through with what he has said. 

It is so easy to look at the world and our circumstances, rather then to God and His promises. But I am telling you this is vital! We need to look to Gods Word and what he has said, before we ever look at our circumstances. 

Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord. Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." 

Lets choose today to find our comfort and shelter in Him. Nothing else in this world will ever fill and satisfy us like the love of The Lord. Lets be intentional today to spend time with and rest in His mighty power and strength.