How Offended Do We Want To Be?

We need to do some serious self-reflection. Serious.

I've been involved in a few situations now where it is very clear that someone is looking for ways to be offended...or validate an offense with all kinds of "evidence". (And before going further, I need to acknowledge that I can easily do the same.)

Not okay. In fact, I would go so far as to say that this mindset is inwardly and outwardly destructive...and irresponsible.

I know that's harsh...but I feel it is a necessary critique of what we tend to do with our broken hearts and misunderstandings. We have hurts and confusion...old ones, new ones, for ourselves, for others...and we can't minimize them in the least. We do, however, have a responsibility to steward our hurts well. When we don't???...that's when we can permit ourselves to relinquish accountability and perpetuate realities we ultimately don't really desire.

In our hearts, what God desires for us (and what I think we really want for ourselves) is peace. Not hurt-driven insecurity or immaturity. Not desperation. Not retaliation. Not mass destruction. We want peace. And, that peace...it's not passive acceptance, keeping our mouth shut and "taking it". No, the shalom-peace of the divine is an inner reality of health, wholeness and harmony. And, it's a peace that overflows to tough situations, tough people...

The truth is...it's easier to live in offense. Peace...all the health, wholeness and harmony available to us...is hard work. It's worth it, though...and I think its pursuit is a reflection of our truly beautiful, authentic, human design.

So, here's a challenge for us...time to quit taking the easier road of offense, put on the "big girl panties" of personal accountability and seek peace.