I'm Offended

These days it seems like we are CONSTANTLY offended by something … doesn’t it? Someone said something, did something, maybe even just thought something that offended us. Or maybe we’re just more aware of offendedness because of Facebook, Twitter and Facsquarter? (I just made up a new social platform, by the way.)Whatever the case might be, here are a few thoughts I had on being offended as followers of Jesus:

• Expect to be offended. That’s right, Jesus said expect it. And not just to be offended, but persecuted (and even killed) as people and especially as followers of Jesus. Expect it. This doesn’t mean it’s okay. It doesn’t mean we should allow someone to walk all over us. It just means that it’s gonna happen.
• Remember it’s not about us. Life as a whole is not about us. I find myself more easily offended when I think I’m more important than I really am. When I’m focused on me and think the universe centers on me, my natural internal reaction is “how dare they say that to Adam Weber?” “How dare they do that to Adam Weber?” “How dare they give a look like that to Adam Weber?” Sounds crazy, shallow, right? Yup, it does! And even though we don’t verbally say it, we think that exact thing numerous times each day. And it’s just as shallow even when it’s not heard by others.
• Don’t be surprised by who offends us. Our co-worker. Our brother. Our mom. Our ex. Our neighbor. Our pastor. Our boss. Our Facebook friends. They are all humans. That’s not excusing someone, it’s simply the truth.
• When we are offended, extend grace. Forgive. Remember our own imperfections. Pray for them. Forgive more. Look for the best in them. Speak well of them. Jesus would tell us to love them even more.
• When we extend grace, the Lord will use us. In a world that’s easily offended, people take note of those who respond to jerkiness (even hate) with grace, mercy and love. Why? Because it rarely happens.
• Agree to disagree. Crazy concept, right? It happened in the Bible, but it seems foreign to culture.
• It’s okay to be hurt when offended. Jesus didn’t say we couldn’t feel. He didn’t tell us to suck it up and just overlook and condone the words and actions of others. Instead, He tells us that He’ll be particularly close to us when we are broken and hurt.
• Do our best not to offend others ourselves. As followers of Christ, we should be known for our love, joy, peace and so on. Do we sacrifice being a light for the Lord in the name of our cause that we’re passionate about? So often it seems like we do. As Christians, all other causes come second. They’re all less important. If people are turned off by Jesus that’s one thing, but don’t turn off people from Jesus in the name of something else.

What about you …Are you easily offended?How do you respond when you are offended?Are you known for constantly offending others?