March 15, 2005

[Rev. Doc]

Are You Offended?

"A man's wisdom gives him patience; it is to his glory to overlook an offense."
Proverbs 19:11

There was a man and wife who really enjoyed traveling. But, it seems that every time they would get in the car to go somewhere his wife had a strong need to direct his driving. She would tell him where to turn and when to turn, even in their own subdivision. It was such a horrible habit that it drove him crazy and became the source of many an argument. Finally, one day he concluded that the Lord was trying to teach him something through this experience. He decided he would let go of his need to be free from this correction. He began to affirm his wife and even thank her for her input. It was excruciatingly painful to do this from where he sat.

A few months passed. He let go of the entire situation and actually got to a place where it just didn't matter to him anymore. An interesting thing happened. One day his wife looked at him and said, "I just realized that I have been directing your driving all these years and now realize why I do that. It goes back to my childhood when I had to direct my younger brothers and sisters. I am so sorry I have been doing that." The husband nearly fell out of his seat!

Whenever we work close to another person, whether in an office or home, small offenses can become the source of great conflict. Resentment and irritability soon follow. God brings these "offenses" into our lives to develop character qualities in us. He uses individuals in our lives to accomplish his goal of making us more Christ-like. So the next time you complain or resist a habit or action from someone close to you, ask God if it has been placed there to develop some quality in you.

Prayer: Ask the Lord to help you have patience in the midst of things that offend you.

"I'll not willingly offend, Nor be easily offended; What's amiss I'll strive to mend, And endure what can't be mended"
~Isaac Watts