Nancy’s Kitchen

I am noticing that taking offense from what others do is counter-productive to my peace.  This is not a new concept to me, as I recall a past mentor talking about this.  He said that we have time, even if only a split second, to choose how we will respond to people and situations.  He emphasized how important it is that we not lose or yield our peace when people and events don’t go our way.  I discovered that he was right!  However, as time goes by, I seem to forget what I’ve learned.

A few weeks ago, some friends commented that they had committed to not take on offenses.  They have many opportunities to take offense, but instead of picking them up, they turn the opportunities with prayer over to God.  This is very hard at times, easy at other times.  People have sensitive hearts that are easily wounded.  But picking up the Shield of Faith protects us from firey shrapnel spewed in our direction.  As we watch the offenses fall to the ground and fizzle out we can rejoice in God our Savior who is always with us.

Some offenses are much harder to get deal with than others.  Wounds from our childhood, wounds from last year, wounds from yesterday… these all hurt!!  But we still have the choice of whether or not we will take offense and harbor the wounds in our hearts.

I appreciate this wise advice:  “Let everyone be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger; for the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God.” Also this:  “Be angry, yet do not sin.”

Anger today only reveals the wounds and offenses of the past.
May you choose wisely how you will respond.