Edgewater Grace

Taking care not to be offended James 1:19, 20
I have noticed how easily offended people have become. An associate seethes with anger that leadership overlooked their extra work but awarded the basic work of a favored one. Your assistant is noticeably upset that the repairman complimented her clerk on a new hairdo, but overlooked her own recent styling change.
People see to go out of their way to take offense what someone else has said or done. They don’t experience peace themselves and pull everyone else down with them. This contributes stress in the work place, and trouble in working relationships. What is even more troubling is how many times even good church going families experience this particular sin.
James clearly warns us against this sin in these verses. He warns us that our selfish anger does no one any good. Jesus himself taught that when we are accosted we should turn the other cheek. This can also mean that we overlook it when someone doesn’t see the things that we want them to or that we wish they could see.
If you find yourself struggling with this sin, I’d like to challenge you with something that will change your life. Instead of watching how others may be mistreating you, why not instead watch for the times when you see someone else being mistreated and leap to their defense? This is righteous anger and it is the attitude that Jesus himself displayed while He walked on this earth. We are go be quick to do unto others what we would have them do unto us. This means that we are to be watching for the chance to defend those weaker than ourselves, and to be ready at a moments notice to help them. However and whatever providing that help means, we are to do this and to see it as our most important work here on earth.
You will begin to lose sight of the tension and the stress you used to carry with you, and instead be filled to the full with God’s abundant love and joy. You will no longer notice the slights and the oversight of those around you. You won’t have time.
The second part of this challenge is to forgive others for their blindness. Jesus said if our brother sins against us, we are to immediately forgive their behavior, even up to 70 times 7. We are not to take offense, and scurry to correct what we see as a major insult to us. No, rather, we are to forgive and let God work out the details. For God sees everything and He has already declared that he alone will avenge the wrongs done to His children.
Try some baby steps in this area this week. Trust God to cover your back, and be at the ready to forgive those around you. Refuse to take offense, no matter what might travail during the workday. You’ll feel refreshed and full of joy as you practice the Word of God in your daily walk. God bless you and have a joyful week.