oh no!, not me (part 1)

we've all experienced it. we've all done it. yet some CHOOSE to live with it, a weight that is at times is unbearable. what could it be? it's something that if we are not careful it has the potential to affect more that just you, but those closet to you. it's offence, i'm almost certain that word has triggered a past discussion, deed or person in your mind, perhaps something that you're having to deal with even as you read this. there are several factors involved with offence such as, was it intentional or unintentional, perception (how something was said, as opposed to how it was meant) when we fail to hold true to our word, the whole "but you said" scenario. could it be our deeds, in what you do or say out of anger, hurt or disappointment.

some of what i'll share in these next few entries will be from john bevere's book, the bait of satan. when addressing such a personal topic one must understand that one can overcome offence, i'm a living witness to that. i learned my lesson on this the hard way. yes, this book was a tool that was brought to my attention by a former college roommate and friend. i recall i was sitting traffic on my cell phone talking to this dear brother and explaining to him a situation/disagreement that i had with someone and i was "just speaking my mind and venting". the reality of it is that i wanted someone to see it my way and agree with me and take my side. oddly enough, some of you are right on track with me on that.

psalm 55: 12-14 states: If an enemy were insulting me, I could endure it; if a foe were raising himself against me, I could hide from him. But it is you, a man like myself, my companion, my close friend, with whom I once enjoyed sweet fellowship as we walked with the throng at the house of God. the closer the relationship, the more severe the offence and you will find the greatest hatred among people who were once close. i don't know about anyone else, but i've experienced both sides of offence and it's not a nice ride. the next few entries will be on this topic that so many of us have had to go through, unfortunately, when it's with others from the "church" things tend to get a little "outta hand". so as i heard a pastor once say "you better put your seat belt on, 'cause i'm comin' down your street"