Gods kingdom is upside down and one way this is demonstrated is through how we react to offenses. In the eyes of the world when someone says something that hurts our feelings or makes us mad our justified response is to get upset at them. But Abba lets us know that when were mad, offended, or upset that its a sign that there is something in us that isn't supposed to be there.
Simply put: things that offend me point to a much deeper issue in my heart.
Think about it, Jesus was called every name in the book:
A liar
A fake
A false prophet
He was mocked.
Tempted.
Spit on.
Beaten.
Betrayed.
"When they came of the place called the skull, there they crucified him, along with the criminals-one on his right, the other on his left. Jesus said 'Father forgive them for they do not know what they are doing."- Luke 23:33-34
All this and yet not one time did he respond in anger. He always responded with peace and demonstrated love to those who hurt him the most. Instead of erupting in anger he prayed for them.
The reason is simple: he knew who he was, and nothing anyone else could say or do would change that. He was unoffendable.
Oh, how I pray for the day when I know so much of who I am that nothing offends me. For the day that no matter what people do or say, I know who I am and I know nothing is going to change that, not even their opinion.
I'm not there yet, but each time I'm offended I ask Abba to search my heart to show me what's there that contradicts the truth of who I am in Him,
This next week I challenge myself and you to write down every time we get angry, offended, or upset. Keep a record of it and at the end of the week see if there is a trend by asking Abba to search our heart. I guarantee the revelation He gives us will make us look more like him by knowing who we are in him!
"Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts" -Psalm 139:23
