Offended? Find Freedom With These 3 Safe & Solid Suggestions

Have you’ve ever been offended?

Today we welcome; Kristi Woods to the Living Our Priorities community as a guest writer. While Kristi contributes monthly to ibelive.com, crosswalk.com, and various other publications, Kristi took the time to sow into our community about a subject we all struggle with… the spirit of offense.

Offense is a common thread in society today. Just look at social media.

Golly, it’s hard to deny the power offense holds when our feelings are torn and tattered by another’s words, actions, or reactions. Especially when we’re certain “they” stand to be corrected; and the problem is not us.

But is being offended, okay?

I believe, our answer awaits with a bit of nature and a big dose of God.

Colorado

Snow-capped mountains surrounded my view. The magnitude and beauty of them stole my breath straight from my chest, sending it far into the atmosphere.

Those peaks and valleys of the Rocky Mountains set our Father’s majesty on display for all to see–that’s for certain. But they also contained a solid lesson for a deepening faith.

I spied a grey wash of rocks peeking out just below the line of snow. Not a single tree grew in that expanse of grey. The area sat barren, cold, and lifeless.

Several feet below the grey, however, sprinkles of green began gathering, sprouting into an entire forest of life velcroed to the side of the mountain.

What A Difference The Line Made

The tree line is the place where the green begins and where the cold, stark grey ends. Consider it the last stop for tree growth on the mountains.

An unfavorable atmosphere lingers above the tree line. Winds whip. Temperatures drop.

Trees can’t grow. Likewise, each decision we make contains a virtual line.

On one side stands freedom and life. On the other, awaits slavery and death.

When hard conversations happen and circumstances send us swirling, do we remain in an atmosphere filled with favorable conditions for spiritual growth, an attitude oriented toward trust in Jesus?

Or, do we land, offended, in the cold, harsh, rocky area full of bitterness?

I’ll be honest, it’s easy to take offense.

Why did they say that? Didn’t they know that would hurt my feelings?

I can’t believe they did that! I’ll never trust them again. Why didn’t he/she do something about it? So much for their concern.

Trusting God More

Life flourishes when we trust God more than man!

Sometimes people let us down. It’s a certainty in this world. After all, we’re human, not Jesus.

Life flourishes when we trust God, more than man! Click To Tweet

But maybe offense isn’t about “their” actions–them letting us down, the words they hurled, etc.

Perhaps, the situation is more about us guarding our heart well and magnifying His name.

“Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.”
~ Proverbs. 4:23 (NLT)

On which side of the line do we stand? Where offense resides, conditions refuse to foster faith.

But across the line, our Father remains faithful and trustworthy. He beckons us to an atmosphere of love, freedom, and life abundantly.

For those of us offended, here are three safe and solid suggestions to find freedom.

Refuse To Be Offended With Jesus

Fruit, evidence of spiritual life and maturity, grows when we remain in Jesus.

“Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.”
~ John 15:5 (NLT)

Consider a peach or apple tree, one that refuses to bear fruit. Of what use is that tree?

Sure, it’ll give a little shade and it’ll provide a roost for bird nests. However,  it was designed to provide mouth-watering, nutritious, delicious fruit.

Christians are designed to bear spiritual fruit. When hurt feelings sway us toward offense or harboring resentment, we are to stand firm with Jesus.

We refuse wayward feelings. We remain in Him.

Refuse To Be Offended With The Word

Ephesians 6 designates the Word as our sword, an offensive and defensive weapon.

In Matthew 4, Jesus speaks three profound words three different times; “It is written.” Jesus used God’s Word to combat the enemy, just as Ephesians 6 encourages believers.

“Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” ~ Ephesians 6:17 (NLT)

Battling with the Word worked for Jesus. Therefore, it works for us as well.

Refuse To Be Offended By Keeping Guard

A popular saying is to follow your heart. However, the result is offense when our feelings get hurt.

And when we choose to be offended, it’s like plopping ourselves straight down on the rocky, barren land.

“Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.”
~ Proverbs 4:23 (NLT)

A better solution is to guard our heart; even when we don’t feel like it. When hurt feelings reel, refuse offense, and condemnation.

Instead, humbly offer to God through prayer any previous offense taken, praying fervently for all parties involved; while speaking blessings over them and yourself.

In The End

As always, our Father is faithful to forgive and loves generously. Choose well my friend. Refuse to allow offense. And find freedom and trust God!

Here are several scriptures regarding offense. I encourage you to meditate on them. Memorize them. Study them. Use them.

Proverbs 19:11; Romans 12:19; Ephesians 4:32; Matthew 5:44; Colossians 3:13; James 1:19; Hebrews 12:15

~ Guest Post Written By Kristi Woods 

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Kristi Woods longs to see women transform from Sunday pew sitters to Monday through Sunday worshipers. As a writer, speaker and Jesus girl, she blogs regularly and offers faith-building tools for a deeper walk with God at KristiWoods.net.

Kristi contributes monthly at; iBelieve.com and Crosswalk.com; and published in various Chicken Soup for the Soul publications. In addition to multiple online sites such as, Proverbs 31 Encouragement for Today and CBN.com.

Kristi, her handsome, retired-from-the-Navy husband, and their three children survived a nomadic, military lifestyle and have set roots in Oklahoma. Connect with Kristi at KristiWoods.net, Facebook, or Pinterest.

Thank You Kristi, for sharing such truth with our community!
~ Andre and Timberley Gray