Staying Unoffendable
Do you ever get offended for someone else?
I know I do.
Like, if a friend is mistreated.
Or someone is wrongly accused.
Or I witness harsh words being spoken to a vulnerable person.
I could keep going with all kinds of scenarios because I am a justice-oriented kind of person. When injustices happen, I sometimes pick up that offense myself.
You might, too.
Is that wrong?
I asked myself that question this week.
Something happened that offended me deeply. It affected my heart.
Nothing that happened to me personally, but something that made light of a deeply sorrowful time for one I love dearly. (You can hear more about that on today’s podcast.)
I let the event simmer in my mind until my emotions started to boil.
When bad things happen to those I love, that is unfortunately what I often do.
That doesn’t mean that is what I should do.
(And for all of you who have taken the word “should” out of your vocabulary, I would ask you to reconsider simply using it with more discernment… but that’s for another post.)
And while I realize that sometimes it is right or necessary to step in and do something, that isn’t the same as being offended.
Offense is a matter of the heart.
We can step in and do something but still keep a heart of peace, which is much more effective in conflict.
Our heart can stay unoffendable while we remain responsive to wisdom, love, and kindness.
We can right the wrongs we are called to and keep a pure heart in the process.
There are many things all around us every day we can choose to be offended by. In a world of polarizing differences, struggles, pain, and conflict there are no lack of offenses to pick up.
But it is in keeping an unoffendable heart of peace that we can make the most difference.
Offense is not a healing tool.
It is not a correction rod.
What is it that has offended you?
Where do you need to look and see if an offense has taken root?
How can you respond with wisdom and kindness and make a bigger difference?
Brenda is a believer in impossible possibilities. In brokenness becoming beautiful. In justice and mercy and honor and power – with love perfecting them all. She is a wife, mom, mimi, daughter, and friend who also enjoys speaking, writing, and coaching.