HOW SHALL WE DEAL WITH THOSE WHO OFFEND US?

Maneuvering through this complex humanity maze is of utmost challenge.  Bumping into each other we have a tendency to wish to rid our circles of some of our acquaintances.  We have good days, better days, best days....and then....not-so-much days.  The latter can be filled with aggravationists as well as violationtionists....against us personally.

So how shall we handle those who rattle our cages by disturbing our moods?

The answer is not of rocket-science level.  It is quite simple.  Forgive.  Forgive the intentional offender as well as the innocent (didn't mean to) party who hurts our feelings.  This is not only possible; it is expected.  It is not only expected; it is very, very necessary.

Being offended will always play into our being the victim role until...until we awaken to a very stark truth.  Each of us also offends.  Often.  Both casually and intentionally.  We are never better at doing life than the one who offends us.  Not ever.

So how do we deal this those who offend us?

We find we can give them mercy and forgiveness at the drop of a hat because we do the very same thing; if not to them, then certainly to someone else.

We are never personally outdone by another in ability to injure and hurt other people. Each of us is very capable of ruining another's day.  This is why mercy is vital.  Mercy forgives offenders without their asking for forgiveness.  Mercy is forgiveness activated with immediacy because we are never more aware of any sins more than our own.

So speak and so act, as those who are to be judged by the law of liberty.  For judgment will be merciless to one who has shown no mercy; mercy triumphs over judgment (James 2:12-13).

So you are a minister and the church is rough on you?  Deal with it from the awareness that you are also rough on them.  You are in church leadership and you can't get others to operate according to your vision?  Be assured you fail to function in ways.  Irritated with some?  Consider those who are frustrated with you...and then maybe you can back your anger down a notch.

We are in this together.  The bottom line is that each of us has enough crud of our own to keep us from blaming another for lack of progress.  Jesus taught it.  We believe it. Together we are able to dismiss the stinging arrows from one another because we launch a few of our own.

Of necessity, it will always be important that we first be attentive to our own flaws for they are many and they are perpetual.