When You’re Offended…

 

Ooooooo….my girl was mad! Her teacher had called out her mistake in class; making her feel stupid. Already struggling in this subject, her embarrassment just made things worse. She shared with me, “My initial reaction was anger! I wanted to lash out at her. Then I thought, “What is going on in her life that makes her want to pick on little ‘ole me?” and so I prayed for her.”

I could hardly believe my girl’s words…she prayed for her?

Do you know,  her grade in that class has gone from a D to a B in a very short time? I knew God was blessing her but today, through the life of Job, I got why:

“After Job had prayed for his friends, the Lord made him prosperous again and gave him twice as much as he had before.” Job 42:10

After Job prayed. After Job had prayed for the very friends who ground his heart in the dirt during the most trying time of his life. After he had been accused time and time again of having a unrepentant heart. After he prayed for those who had offended him, the Lord gave.

I’d love to say I had taught my girl to do this, but I don’t remember doing that. I know who did; the Holy Spirit whispered to her heart that day and on that day, she obeyed.

Is there someone in your life who has offended you? If not, there is sure to be just around the corner! Let’s learn from the experience of Job and my girl: let’s pray for that one who has offended us and in return, reap the blessings that come!

Lynn

20 Comments

  1. Lynn –

    God has been speaking to me about this subject just this morning. The thought that I should refer to the book of Job also came to mind. I am blessed by your post and will meditate on this scripture today.

    Blessings,
    Migdalia

    1. Thanks so much, Migdalia! I was recently offended…I only wish I had handled it like Madi! Teach us Lord!

  2. Lynn, just catching up and reading this morning before I go face almost 50 Sophomores…. What a great lesson! They get so caught up in “drama.” I’m going to read them part of this for devotional time. BUT, I also needed to hear it for me! It’s a great reminder this morning. I pray you have a wonderful day. My girls’ “His Revolutionary Love” Bible study was awesome last evening. I had less girls because of all the end of the year programming and practices going on, but it was a powerful group of young ladies. We discussed Chapter 8. I have one young lady, who has not missed a meeting, share that she (a 10th grader) prays for her future husband and has been doing so for quite a while. This opened the discussion up and also opened up the other girls’ minds.
    We have enjoyed our group and hate to see it end. They call it their “Jesus Time!”
    Love and Blessings,
    Beth

    1. I’m so very glad that they have enjoyed it, Beth! How cool is it that she is praying for her husband; I did that too as a high schooler! Today, I prayed for my kid’s spouses…such a HUGE decision! I hope the girls in your group will get “Devotions for a Revolutionary Year” when it comes out in September. It will really help to soak in the truths they have learn through HRL.

      Thank you so much for investing in young girls!

  3. Wow!!Amazed at the little girl’s wisdom. I have learned a valuable lesson today. Thanks for sharing.

    1. Thanks Maria! I am so grateful for the wisdom that Madi has only being 15! Lord, protect our girls as they live out the wisdom you give. Help them to always see the whispers of the Holy Spirit as a gift and choose to obey them! Amen

  4. Oh..Dear one this is so good. Our children are taught by the Lord and great is the peace and undisturbed composure of our children. Am believing my children will follow in these same foot steps. All to the Glory of God. Also, about me, time and again I have been accused and torn apart. In turn I bless my accusers and am waiting for Jesus to turn every curse “ill spoken word” into a blessing instead. No weapon formed against me will prosper and Every tongue that would rise against me in judgement I will show to be in the wrong. Bless you! Laura.

    1. I believe that too Laura!

  5. I learned years ago that being offended is a choice we make. It is a selfish choice. Just as your daughter said, think about what may be going on with that person. It is not about us. That is a tough. But the rewards are amazing blessings.

    1. And often, we’re offended because what they said was true and we don’t want someone pointing out our flaws! Thanks for sharing Angie!

  6. Lisa Taylor says:

    Wow!!! What a smart young lady…..Wish I could say I was more like her….I needed to hear that this morning, thank you…..

  7. WOW! thank you so much for sharing. and through your daughter’s powerful example, the Lord just gave me the final, critical point to a piece i’m working on for my blog re: dealing with the damage of lies (w/ often leads to feeling offended) — to pray for the offender!

    one of the verses that has come to mind as i’ve been writing this piece has been this one:
    “Be tenderhearted, and keep a humble attitude. Don’t repay evil for evil. Don’t retaliate with insults when people insult you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God has called you to do, and he will bless you for it . . . The eyes of the Lord watch over those who do right, and his ears are open to their prayers.” 1 Peter 3:8,9,12

    and your daughter is living PROOF!

    thx so very much for sharing. and pls thank HER for allowing you to share with us!!

    blessings to you & yours,
    tanya

    1. I will Tanya! More than once, she’s the one teaching me…out of the mouth of babes!

  8. Wow…I wish I would have had such wisdom at such an early age. Thank you for sharing this today!

  9. I know the feeling – seeing your chldren display the fruit of the spirit, and knowing it was only through the spirit that they learned that! So encouraging as a parent to not only know, but see, that God is in control – even in those places we are not!

    Thank you also for this reminder to pray for those who accuse us!

  10. Sonja Bailey says:

    This takes one of my struggles to the next level…FORGIVENESS…
    even when I do forgive, is my work done???
    This was encouraging and eye awakening…
    Maybe I have forgiven, even when I thought I had not,
    but maybe God was simply waiting for me to finish…

  11. this is an awesome post. Now I need to print it out and carry it with me for what is around the corner. Because you are right, things like that happen and we do need to remember to pray instead of lashing out.

  12. Great message! Thank you!

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