Musings of the Day #1

How easy it is for us to take offense from others because of our perceptions. Our perceptions are based on who we are, where we have been, and how we view those with whom we take offense. This means that offense is the responsibility of the one who feels offended. Most often in our Christian lives, we perceive offense much more easily from other Christians than from the non-Christian. This stems from our belief that Christians and especially Christian leaders should act a certain way. That 'certain way' is clouded by who we are and how we feel on a given day. We don't often realize that the source of the offense is within ourselves.

It is true that there are those who offend. They deliberately make someone angry or hurt someone. But the offended still has the choice and the responsibility to take or leave the offense. If we take the offense, we have to deal with its consequences in our lives. If we leave it on the table and refuse to pick it up, we are the richer and more blessed by our decision. We make this decision many times in a day. Those closest to us who offend us are the most difficult for us to choose not to be offended. But the offense is often caused because our expectations of them are not realistic or beyond where they are.

How do we get out of this dilema? The Scripture says, "Love covers a multitude of sins."I Peter 4:8. Love is the key to overcoming offense. Read I Peter 4:7-11. Powerful words for these days in which we live.