One of the hardest things we have to learn is how to deal with others who have offended us, while doing it with love and self-control. And no one does this perfectly, so we all have some growth in this area.
Finger pointing and the blame game started right after the fall and taking up an offence ensued. Enmity and jealousy were introduced and you know the rest of the story…
Growing up, my brother and I were best friends, however we also used to fight over everything. And in particular the small things, such as whether a crumb was on what side of the table and therefore who was responsible for cleaning it up. Heels dug in, neither side would let it go, and tempers flared. After all calmed down it was rather silly and we knew it, but in the heat of the moment sinful hearts were revealed.
Sometimes we all like to argue and fight over insignificant things because it’s in our sinful nature to take up an offence, point fingers, and insist on a satisfactory outcome in the courtroom of our own justice.
But where does this leave us? Consider what the scriptures say:
“Fools show their annoyance at once, but the prudent overlook an insult.”
Proverbs 12:16
“If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord.” Romans 12:18-19
The next time there’s a ‘crumb’ in your family, point it out, talk about how it needs to be overlooked, and explain that love covers a multitude of sins. Explain how we should be gracious and merciful, and how it relates to the gospel… “but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8).
Let’s help train one another to overlook the offence because we live in a broken world where offences come frequently.
– Valerie O’Regan