It is no surprise that social media has left me offended again, but probably not for the reason the persons who posted it intended. The post mentioned offending the reader and being unfriended due to their bold profession of faith.
It wasn’t the bold profession of faith that was offensive. It was the intent to offend. Every time I have been offended I close myself off to the person. I am no longer willing to listen or receive what the other person is saying.
I do care if I offend you. I don’t want my faith to turn you away from Christ. I care if my words and actions cause you to stop seeing God’s love and grace. I want to express love and grace as this scripture calls me to.
If I speak in the tongues[a] of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing.3 If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast,[b] but do not have love, I gain nothing. 4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. (1 Corinthians 13:1-6 NIV).
We are called to show love not be a clanging cymbal. When we show love, we make room for the boldness of God to appear. When we come in as a resounding gong, we offend and close people off from the seeing the gift of grace.
Have you been offended? How did it feel? Share your experience here and breathe life and bring hope to others.
Mary, thank you for your post and the invitation to open discourse with others. It’s thought provoking and timely indeed!
Of course, on a personal note, I have felt personally “offended” at times over my lifetime. Feelings of annoyance can result when interacting with others.
What I have learned, is that it’s important to “check myself” first if I am feeling annoyed, by asking myself a couple questions. Such as, “Was there intent by the other person to offend or is it my perception? Or, perhaps, could there be unresolved triggers from previous life experiencing playing into how I feel?”
My first goal is to seek a “heart check” before action. Afterwards, I can come to resolution and if “necessary” craft a “communication plan” for the offender only if I feel additional action on my part needs to result. More often than not, nuggets of insight have emerged during the process of introspection.
Let us not fall into temptation assuming “ill will” from the “offender”. Let us first check ourselves by listening to that still voice inside leading us to understanding clarity and truth.
Thanks Andrea! This is a great way to lean into what is being communicated.
interesting topic. we seem to live in a world where people get offended so easily and need others to know. they need to voice their offence online, usually about statements and images online. i find it refreshing to read your words, also online.
thank you for what you do.