"Overcoming Offense: Trusting in Jesus to Break the Cycle of Anger and Hurt"
- Sister Janet K.
- Mar 5, 2024
- 3 min read
These were the first flowers to appear as the weather warmed. They are called "the Buttercup" and they have a very shiny coating on the petals that glimmer in the sunlight. They are a symbol to me of how God provides a glimmer of hope to revive our hearts in any and all afflictions.
There is a sad story in 2nd Samuel about Absalom plotting to take the thrown of his own father, King David. Just as he had to flee from King Saul years earlier, David had to flee again, being chided by followers of Absalom along the way. David however trusted God to “light his path” and revive him in the end. Here’s the story and why we must trust God when offended by others.
”David then said to Abishai and all his officials, “My son, my own flesh and blood, is trying to kill me. How much more, then, this Benjamite! Leave him alone; let him curse, for the Lord has told him to. It may be that the Lord will look upon my misery and restore to me his covenant blessing instead of his curse today.” So David and his men continued along the road while Shimei was going along the hillside opposite him, cursing as he went and throwing stones at him and showering him with dirt. The king and all the people with him arrived at their destination exhausted. And there he refreshed himself." 2 Samuel 16:11-14
When I read this passage today, I remembered the very influential book "Unoffendable" written by Brant Hansen. Being offended has become a normal way of life now and accepted as culturally okay. But it leads to misery for self more than we realize. As Mr. Hansen noted how much mental energy we spend on trying to respond to an offense, wasting precious time with God and others, and how it halts our progress towards our own destination. David in this story decided to ignore the offender and his cursing and rock throwing and instead trust that God would see the injustice and restore the covenant blessings. Though it exhausted him to stand against this offense, he continued his course and found refreshment at the end.
Personally, I feel offended most times because I am a perfectionist and cannot allow myself to fail. It creates a good defensive attitude that is ready to stand up anytime. But this belief is only vanity for there is only One who is perfect, who doesn’t need defending, and who Himself demonstrated how not to respond to offenses. Jesus entrusted Himself to His Father. David trusted God to remove the curse.
There is something called generational curses. These are simply sins that are passed down to children from their parents. Each generation has the ability to stop that curse or allow it to stop them.
By not stopping and allowing the bully to get the better of him, David demonstrated that trusting in God to take care of those offenses is what allows each of us to move forward to a better destination. In a later chapter, Shimei, the bully, realized he had been deceived by Absalom who died in a battle, and he had to beg forgiveness from David. Because David had trusted God to ignore Shimei’s taunting before, he was able to forgive him afterward. David had maintained his self respect by trusting in God’s Word.
What has been passed to you that feels offensive? Anger, addictions, family disputes, failed promises, money issues? We have so much to make us feel offended. However, we must consider how we offend Jesus everyday by not trusting in Him to help us be the Overcomer generation. Keep going forward and don’t let the bully of offense get in your way. Your confidence is in Christ. He has already overcome. Bless yourself and your descendants by letting go of the offenses so all can move forward. Let God’s Word be the light to your path and revive you once again.
“Jesus said, ‘To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in His throne” (Revelation 3:21)
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