Unoffendable

What offends you? And maybe the better question is—how easily do you get offended?

Here’s something that might challenge you: taking offense is a choice.

Yes, people will say hurtful things. Yes, they may treat you unfairly. But even in those moments—especially in those moments—you still have control over your response. Even when you feel like you have every right to be offended, you can choose to lay that right down and rise above it.

The truth is, there’s no shortage of things to be offended by. And if everything offends you, you’ll spend most of your life frustrated, irritated, and exhausted.

God calls us to something better.

Romans 12:18 says, “Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone.” That means, as far as it depends on us, be at peace with everyone.

Emotional and spiritual maturity shows up in how you respond when someone mistreats you.

Do you get even? If they hurt you, do you hurt them back? If they insult you, do you fire back? If they raise their voice, do you raise yours?

That’s the natural response—but it’s not the Jesus one.

Anyone can react. It takes strength to respond with wisdom. Meekness isn’t weakness. In fact, Jesus said “Blessed are the meek.”

So how do you handle the difficult people in your life?

One of the keys is this: develop thicker skin and a softer heart.

That’s a powerful combination. Because most of us tend to do the opposite—we become thin-skinned and hard-hearted. Easily offended on the outside, but closed off on the inside.

Instead, pray this simple prayer: “God, give me a tender heart and tough skin.” We need HIS help in order to pull this off. HE works on our heart and softens it toward hurting people. HE gives us the security we need to have thicker skin.

He makes us more loving. More patient. More kind. He gives us more self-control over our responses.

Sometimes people act out of their own pain, immaturity, or insecurity. That doesn’t make their behavior right—but it can help you not take it personally.

Not everything deserves your attention. Not everything deserves a reaction.

Proverbs 12:16 says, “A fool is quick-tempered, but a wise person stays calm when insulted.”

Wisdom knows when to let it go.

So today, make a choice:

Refuse to live easily offended.

Refuse to carry unnecessary hurt.

Refuse to give other people that much control over your peace.

Instead… Choose peace. Choose maturity. Choose freedom. All that comes from spending time with Christ and allowing the Holy Spirit to work in your life.

Because the less you’re offended by, the more joy you’ll actually have.