The Choice is Ours

 

Offended or unoffended………suspicious or believing the best in others. Most of us do not wake up in the morning plotting out who we can offend and how best to offend them. The truth is that most of the time someone offends us they have no clue that they did. We are the ones who take their words or actions and twist them often because of our own insecurities. Then we tend to dwell on the interaction and replay it in our head maybe even consulting others to try to hash out just how offended we should be. The truth is that we expend all this energy and angst when the other person may have just been trying, obviously unsuccessfully, to give advice or caution. Our response should be to believe the best scenario not the worst. After all, God believes the best in us and expects us to give the same to one another. 

The truth is I can even be offended by my Ronnie B. when he gives me advice. Rather than accepting that he is trying to make my life easier, I can get caught up in the What does he think I am stupid? mentality. Of course taking unsolicited advice can be difficult. Having a posture of believing the best in others and their intentions doesn’t come naturally but requires intentional practice. Thanking him when he follows up a statement with You know what I’m saying rather than getting my hackles up that of course I know what he is saying. I’m not stupid. He is not judging me but clarifying so there is no misunderstanding. His intention is not to offend but be clear. My insecurity receives his words as judgmental. 

I must admit I used to be offended by my Aunt Laura when she blessed me. Aunt Laura blesses everyone the same every time. I was offended that she didn’t give me and others a personal blessing that related directly to each individual. The Lord showed me that I needed to receive her blessing and not judge her by pointing out the Lord’s Prayer. God said to pray this way. The same prayer can heal my heart when I repeat those words. It was me who needed to shift my thinking not my sweet aunt. 

I’m grateful that this subject came up in my Bible study because it is something I need to work on. Believe the best in others just as I want them to believe the best in me. 

In Him,

Joyful

8-14-22