Are you offended?

Are You Offended

This is a very wide question to ask. And if you going to ask me that question I will answer you back like: "where I am offended? when I feel offended? and who did the offense? 

If we are offended that questions where, when, and who will be answered. Right?

So, WHAT IS OFFENDED?

My way of interpreting the word "offended" are:

1. Offended is a natural way to feel when someone hits or strikes your ego.

2. Offended is a  huge impact on a person's mental, emotional, and physical aspects.

3. Offended is a natural feeling that is not avoidable (maiiwasan) but can learn to deal with it.

OFFENDED IS A NATURAL FEELING THAT SOMEONE HITS OR STRIKES YOUR EGO.

All of us, even, though we are called Christians the EGO is one of our characteristics. It is one of the human characteristics that we should deal with.

If you going to say that you are not offended just a little bit in a situation that hits or strikes your ego that you feel ashamed, insulted, and disrespected by someone then you are insensitive. Or I might say, "are you still alive?"

It is not natural not to feel anything when someone did wrong to you, right? I know that EGO or pride must be put away in the lives of all Christians as the Bible and all preachers teach us. But, let us admit that character of humans is a character that can't be put away instantly but can be suppressed if we let ourselves help by the power of the Holy Spirit.

We need to keep in mind that if you are not easily offended by any situation, your character is not like the character of others. Then, we need to be sensitive in any way we could so we could not be the source of the offense.

Having said that, both parties must be sensitive to their actions and how they speak. 

OFFENSE IS A HUGE IMPACT ON A PERSON'S MENTAL, EMOTIONAL, AND PHYSICAL HEALTH.

We thought of if anyone is offended he or she is immature or insensitive but let us think of this and maybe will change our mind toward those who are offended.

I, personally was offended. Many times I felt offended. 

It felt not healthy in my mental, emotional, and physical being. I feel unworthy and stressed. I have an unpeaceful mind, an angry heart, and an aloof feeling toward those who are the source of the offense.

It is not healthy! Indeed. 

So, if you are one of them who are insensitive knowing you offend someone, I think you are the immature one!

REMINDER: Those who are offended will not come or step forward to confront you but they will build a wall and the worst thing is they will burn the bridges that connect both of you.

Why they will do this?  To protect them.

I am saying this because I did this. I make walls and sometimes burn the bridges from them because I protect my mind, heart, and physical health.

Imagine, if you are not healthy mentally and emotionally your physical body will not respond properly that's why we feel pain in different parts of our body without knowing what the cause of it is. 

Now, being offended is not an easy feeling, this is a difficult battle that a person can face. 

An offended person is open to all mental, emotional, and physical sickness and diseases.

OFFENDED IS A NATURAL FEELING THAT IS AVOIDABLE BUT CAN BE DEALT WITH IT.

We cannot avoid a person or a situation that will be a source of our offense, right?

Then, because we don't know when and how they will come to us, we should always be prepared for them!

There is a quote that I've made in Selah Moment with God's FB PAGE, that for me is a reproof of my character. 

What I'm saying is, that if you are always offended in any situation you were in, or by any person who is with you, ALWAYS REMEMBER THAT IT IS YOU, WE, ALSO CAN BE SOURCE OF THE OFFENSE OF THE PERSON WHO IS WITH US.

Let's accept the fact that we are not perfect and we have characters that are not always suitable for those who are with us. 

We have so many imperfections! And these imperfections can always be the reason for someone's offense. 

So then, what are the reasons why we are so easily offended?

1. it is because of our PRIDE.

The Bible says that the Lord is against all boasters and pride which we will be in this last days peril to all men, believers, and unbelievers, if we are not watchful in our character nowadays. 2 Timothy 3:2 "For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,"

Pride or ego is a character that we don't easily detect. It is a character that we thought it is just natural for us but to others is harmful. 

It is a very dangerous character that must be put away in the lives of all men. 

REMINDER: Pride is the reason why many Christians today are turning their backs on brethren and the worst thing is turning away from God.

Why did I say this? 

If someone strikes our ego or pride, we instantly think of: exiting the church, leaving the brethren, avoiding the brethren that offend, not attending services of the Lord, and so on.

While doing these things, we don't think that we first left the Lord, we first avoid the help of the Lord and the healing of the Lord. 

Pride causes offense that can kill us spiritually. 

John 6:53-67 [67] Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away? 

Like of them (former disciples of Jesus) left Jesus because they were offended. 

2. Because we just focus on ourselves.

That's one of the main reasons why many are easily offended. They were focused on their selves. 

They that are focused to their selves are SELF-CENTERED.

They want that everyone around them will feel what they feel, understand them, think of them, reach them, comfort them, and all that will show the care and love they want those!! 

BUT, they will never reach the person - the source of the offense but they want the offender will reach them. 

Remember the former disciples of our Lord Jesus Christ? In John 6? They never ask again what He meant but they murmur and they don't hesitate to ask but immediately turn their back to Jesus. 

REMINDER: Self-centered person is lack of understanding. They have less care and love for others but MORE love and care to their selves. 

WHAT WE SHOULD DO IF WE ARE OFFENDED?

1. PRAY

What we should pray for then?

You should pray for yourself specifically, the pride that is in you. 

Don't say you swallow your pride. But then you should PUT AWAY your pride! 

Then pray for him/her who offend you with love and care for his/her soul. 

2. LET THE LORD HEALS YOU.

When someone is offended, Sorry is not enough.

I may be too harsh? No! I'm just telling the truth that any words that come to our mouths either will be a blessing or curse to anyone that will hear it. 

And any words that come to our mouths and it is a curse will wound our hearts, that even a "Sorry" could not heal instantly. So like in our actions if we do things unaware!

All offended hearts can not easily be moved on, but if you let the Lord work in you, then, He will heal you.

3. THEN BUILD WALLS OF PEACE BETWEEN YOU AND THE OFFENDER. 

Building a wall is our duty!

What wall we built depends on what we want to build. Sometimes it depends on what we feel, what we think, and what the Lord wants us to build.

Now, if it depends on us, what wall you will build if you are offended? wall of anger? 

NO! It should be a wall of peace! No matter what he did and say to you always build and wear peace.

WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO ACT, IF, YOU KNOW YOU ARE THE SOURCE OF THE OFFENSE? 

1. Don't ever think that she or he is immature or very sensitive, but learn to put yourself in their shoe.

We usually think that if someone is offended he or she is sensitive or very sensitive and the worst is immature. We also easily say anything against them, right? 

But how about when we offend them, let's try to put ourselves in their situation and let us feel what they feel so it is easy for us to understand them. Remember, it is not easy to feel unrespected, insulted, and shamed in front of people.

2. Pray for yourself that you feel and understand what she/he feels. 

Pray for yourself is the best way to understand fully what the offended feels. When you pray for yourself you let your heart soften and teachable. In this case, you will be able to put yourself in their situation.

The Lord will teach you how to approach them, how to deal with them not on your own feelings but in God's way.  

3. Reach for them with the love of the Lord.

After praying for them, the Lord will teach you how to reach them sincerely. 

It will not be hard for you to do that but you feel happy while doing this. 

You will feel the love and peace of the Lord that binds you both to God.

Brethren,

Always remember Proverbs 18:19 A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city: and their contentions are like the bars of a castle.

If there is offended because of you, don't think that your relationship will be the same again!

Once you hurt someone always have a strange feeling, don't let the situation get you both too far you both welcome unnecessary spirits that will bind you.

There are a lot of feelings that want to live in you, and if you let offended come closer and live in you, it will invite more and more spirits. 

Lastly, don't let yourself be offended and be the source of the offense.

TO GOD BE THE GLORY!!!

Pray with you whole heart

Letter for my Brethren

I pray that you have the heart that are teachable and humble. 

In that heart the Lord will be glad to teach you to reach them that are offended. To love them who are source of the offense.

I also pray that all of us be the source of blessing, happiness, love, and peace to the brethren.

I plead the blood of Jesus to cover and protect you in all harm.

In Jesus name, Amen.