Living Unoffended
Think of how many times someone has offended you or hurt your feelings, now think about how you reacted. I will be the first person to admit that in the past I did not react with grace or forgiveness. When someone would offend me or hurt my feelings I would react in anger, turn stone cold, and shut the person out completely. I lived an offended life for far too long, a life where I thought everything was about me. A life where other people's thoughts and comments affected the way I lived. A life where other people's opinions took over the core beliefs of who I was.
Growing up I was always the protector in any relationship I was in, the one that wasn't gentle and definitely did not get pushed around. I had a lot of people around me who were like doormats (as my friend Clara would say lol) and would just let people walk all over them which was something I hated to watch. It bugged me so bad to see these people that I loved jumping oceans for people who wouldn't even step over a puddle for them. The truth is those people around me were living their life unoffended, they weren't letting the actions of others around them affect them. They were loving with no limits, they were living out the love of Christ through their actions and reactions. They knew that when someone was having a bad day and taking it out on them that they needed to respond with love, grace, and forgiveness. They knew that it was not all about them.
A couple times that I can recall since I've been in college, things have happened and I've gotten offended due to others' actions or words. One time I called Jessica and she literally said, “It's not all about you, not everything is about you Rylie.” It's so true, their choices aren't about me. Their actions have nothing to do with you. The things they say aren't about me. They are hurting and struggling, they don't find their joy in Jesus. We have to love them where they are at, show them the love of Christ through the way you react. Matthew 5:43-47 says, “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Aren't even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that?” We are called to love those who hate us. We are called to love those who treat us badly. We are called to love those who use us as a doormat. We are called to love those who don’t love us back. We are called to love all. When we live an offended life we miss chances to show Christ love through our actions. When we live like other people's opinions define us we lose who we are in Christ. It is not all about you, live an unoffended life so you can love without limits and watch God's plan unfold.
1 Corinthians 13:4-5 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.
1 Peter 4:8 Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.
Good Talk,
Rylie With The Messy Life :)
