Deal With It!

‘If someone says, “I love God,” but hates a Christian brother or sister, that person is a liar; for if we don’t love people we can see, how can we love God, whom we cannot see?’ 1John.4:20

When offences come, it is wise to deal with them immediately so that they will not take root in your heart. Offence has the power to turn you into a visionless person because offence cripples vision. When Joseph was sold into slavery, he must have been hurt. Yet Joseph did not let offence creep into his heart, he dealt with the offence immediately. He forgave His brothers and submitted his life to God. If Joseph was able to flush out bitterness towards his brothers, you too can do it through the help of the Spirit of God. Do not harbor bitterness at the cost of where God is taking you. ‘You meant it for evil but God turned it around for good’ [Gen.50:12]. This is the heart of someone who has dealt with offence. It is only when you are able to get beyond offence that you will better see the purposes of God. Again, it is important to know that even in the midst of adversity, when you have God on your side, you can trust it will work out for good. Another side to this is that God sometimes has to use the Mrs. Potiphar’s and betrayal of close friends to propel you into your destiny. Who knows, Joseph might have been distracted if he remained in his father’s house. The point is that God will take you and grow you along the paths that will bring you into the fulfillment of His plans for you. When you know where God is taking you, what people do to you will not really matter. You are able to shake it off and move on. Remember that when offence is present, you open yourself to attacks, even in your health. Offence affects your walk with God and it inevitably cripples your worship. No one who holds on to offence can have a sustained walk with God [1John.4:20]. Take offence to God in prayer. You will actually discover that the more you go to God with offence, the more He will lead you to pray for those who have offended you. Many times, our helpers are not dressed as helpers. Sometimes, it is you God is going to use to teach them how to love.

Prayer: Father, help me to understand that Your purposes go beyond me. I don’t want to live with offence in my heart. Help me to deal with them as they come, in Jesus Name.