Oh, So You’re Offended?

In my need to not offend, I became offended. Yes, you read that right. While I was trying to not step on anyone’s toes, I ended up ALWAYS getting my toes stepped on. Now before you start to think that it was in my right to be offended, I’m going to tell you it was not. Having a heart of offense causes so many problems. You overthink everything (which IS NOT normal,) the smallest things make you upset (which again IS NOT normal,) and you are overall not a fun person to be around (again, not normal.) If it feels like I’m reading you for filth, I am, but please give me PERMISSION to OFFEND. This is coming from a cheerful heart. A loving heart. I have been there; I know what it’s like to always feel like people are doing you wrong for no reason. I know what it’s like to feel like I’m getting the lesser end of the relationship. Believe me I know. You’re probably constantly thinking, “but I would never do them like that!” And the truth is you probably wouldn’t! But that little seemingly innocent phrase right there is just the drizzle of sweet potato juice on a Thanksgiving plate.

You can not control the way other people treat you. If someone isn’t treating you the way you believe you should be treated, let them know and if the behavior doesn’t change, you be the one to leave. After you have had that conversation and whomever continues to treat you wrong, it is now on you. We never like to blame anything on ourselves. We’re always the protagonists in our lives. However, when we continue to accept “bad behavior” for the sake of not doing them how they do you, we ultimately give them permission to keep doing what they’ve been doing. While we’re steadily saying, “I would never do that to them!” they’re living their best life with you still in it and you’re the only one with your feelings routinely hurt. Now that your feelings are in a tizzy, you’ve invited offense to come have a seat at the table. Offense doesn’t know when to leave, it’ll stay as long as it possibly can.

Recognizing that you have let offense take up space in your heart is the first step to getting rid of it. I found myself saying “but it’s the principle!” It is but… it’s also the offense. Do not get so wrapped up in saying “I would never do that” because that’s the phrase of an offended person, even if you would never do that. Trust me I have been there before, that’s why I’m sharing this with you. Anything anybody said to me would make me feel a type of way. Offense will linger if you let it. Don’t let it control your life. Take charge and live an offense free life.

Be blessed,

Alyssa