How to Deal with Offense

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Many times, in life we will all have to deal with offense. Something someone said, someone did, or unexpected responses that have come knocking at your door at an inopportune time.

Offense could be found anywhere. In the home, church, job, gym everywhere we turn we will all have to deal with offenses throughout our lives. The more we interact and deal with people, groups, or organizations, etc., the more we are prone to offense. Because all people are wounded and have some form of trauma in their lives, we are susceptible to dealing with offensive people. The truth of the matter is we are all wounded. When you are dealing with people you are also interacting with their history--trauma, bias, hurts, belief system, unmet emotional needs, and all the things that make them who they are today.

On the surface, sometimes we all deal with individuals being manipulative, jealous, arrogant, passive aggressive, rude, vindictive, and the list goes on. But the truth of the matter is underneath the surface are people who are wounded themselves and are not happy with their current circumstances.?

So, how do you deal with offense since it is in all of us? How do you react to offense yourself without turning around and becoming the offender?

In the book of Daniel, he was appointed to some of the highest offices in Babylon. The king planned to set him over the whole Kingdom. However, some other government officials and administrators wanted to find ways to get rid of Daniel because of his success and their own plans and jealousy. So, they devised a plan to the king into creating a law that would eventually land Daniel in the lion's den. However, if we look at Daniel 6:20-23 it says: 20-When he came near the den, he called to Daniel in an anguished voice, “Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to rescue you from the lions?”? 21-Daniel answered, “May the king live forever! 22-My God sent his angel, and he shut the mouths of the lions. They have not hurt me, because I was found innocent in his sight. Nor have I ever done any wrong before you, Your Majesty.”? 23-The king was overjoyed and gave orders to lift Daniel out of the den. And when Daniel was lifted from the den, no wound was found on him, because he had trusted in his God.

Prior to these verses, Daniel’s haters worked together to come up with a plan that would ultimately get Daniel into the lion's den. Daniel continued to ignore the offenses that came his way and was ultimately untouched by the lions. His offenders plan backfired, and they ended up being killed in the lion's den.

So, Don, what is your point? The point is that sometimes you have to ignore the offense. The offense can be a bait that the enemy is using to get you out of your character. But THE KEY WITH OFFENSE IS SOMETIMES TO IGNORE AND PRAY—PRAY AND IGNORE! IGNORE AND PRAY!

Whew! Did I say that three times?? Ultimately, you have to understand that people who are manipulative, conniving, etc. are not happy themselves. Sometimes what they see in you brings out the worst in them. And the hardest part of being a believer is having empathy toward offenders even when they are being offensive or think you cannot see their evil schemes. So, THE KEY TO DEALING WITH SOME OFFENSES IS TO IGNORE AND PRAY. Ask yourself, “Is it worth it?” At the end of the day, Daniel’s praying and witnessing far outweighed the schemes of those that were not for him. So much so, that the King honored the God of Daniel.

So, keep in mind, DESPITE THE OFFENSES, GOD STILL HAS A PLAN FOR YOUR LIFE. JUST BE CAREFUL HOW YOU RESPOND (people are watching how you respond to offenses in your life. So, take a deep breath before you respond and pray because your witness, character development, and God’s victorious plan for your life is at stake.

Written by

Donald Edwards