Page 76 - Issue 36
P. 76
from Pastor David
I The pattern I am seeing is this: Being and are so focused on themselves
Bear with me. I am getting there.
have to say this ponder-
they truly do not see they are infecting
ing has been very tough
easily offended has become epidemic.
everyone in their circle. We are that
for me to get on paper.
Maybe because I am of- It has obviously always been around person when we broadcast our offense.
a long time but lately has become
It is easy to blame or judge
fended that such a thing a misery we can all choose to have. someone who spews their poison,
especially when it gets on us, but not
Have we become so insecure that we
exists... The act of being as a people must fi lter every word we so easy to see ourselves doing it.
offended that is. say in fear of offending someone? Has this ever happened to you?
Sometimes I think my son dreads Right out of nowhere your spouse or
Are we really so self-centered that we going out in public with me because someone who is very close to you says
feel the world should come along side my old Army Warrant Offi cer, bull in a or does some heinous act that royally
us in agreement on everything we hold china cabinet, unsugar-coated direct torques you off. The fi rst thing that
close? From network news to social approach to fi xing the situation might happens is your fi ght mode switch
media it seems everyone has a need, inevitably break free of my mouth gets fl ipped and it is on! It “feels” right
almost obsession, to broadcast how and offend someone or worse a large to fi ght because you think, you have
they have been offended about one group of someones. Honestly part of to protect yourself. Well, it isn’t about
thing or another. me sees this as a challenge. you, buttercup. What if God Almighty
This has been on my radar for The Truth is hard trials and sent you this person so that you could
months. There comes a time when a temptations are bound to come. They be coworker with Him to bring them
topic is just too loud to keep it inside are inevitable. The sad thing is, it will back into the light? To do this, we
so I decided to begin the process of be too bad for whoever brings them must fi rst not be offended.
writing something down. The fi rst on. In fact, it would be better for When our core belief is all about
thing I did was to ask God, “What is this person to wear an engine block ourselves, we can be offended by
this trend?” Next was the Bible. It chained around their neck and then anything coming into our territory we
turns out this is not a new problem. In take a swim than to give even one of do not agree with. But when our core
fact, Jesus told His disciples that hard His children a hard time! is based on the love Jesus taught then
trials and temptations such as these Be alert. If you see your friend we are more likely to focus on the
are bound to come up. In fact, they doing wrong, correct them. If they people around us.
are inevitable. Then I did searches respond by saying they are sorry, “Love the Lord your God with all
to see what others had written and forgive them even if it’s personal your heart and with all your soul and
said on the subject of being offended. against you and repeated over and with all your mind and with all your
There is plenty. Lastly, I was talking to over again. Forgive them. strength. The second is this: ‘Love your
a good friend about my quest and he But wait, “David. I thought you neighbor as yourself.”
suggested I listen to a podcast from were talking about a person who is Try to hear it like this: Children.
one of our mutual favorite pastors. It easily offended.” Yes, I am still talking Love (and trust) me with your all. Love
was as if she had spoken the same about you and me. I just cleverly people around you like I love you. Only
thoughts I was getting. turned it around so you can see how then will you understand what this
You should have a smile on your offending it is to be offended. rich Love I am trying to teach you fully
face by now. Yep…. God is up to Have you ever known that person means and how desperately you need
something. Don’t you love it when who comes to work when they are each other.
He sees us hurting and ever so gently burning up with a fever or clearly sick “God loves you so much that He
steps in to pick us back up again? He with some sort of nasty contagious cannot keep His eyes off of you.”
spends a great deal of time doing that sickness? They think they are
with me at least. absolutely essential for the workplace RDavid@ MoulderMinistries.com
76 RAT ROD MAGAZINE ISSUE THIRTY-SIX
76 Word.indd 76 2/26/16 12:50 PM