November 2, 2026
The Unoffendable Heart
I long to be unoffendable but haven’t achieved it yet. Nevertheless, I am always surprised at people who will leave a church, a marriage, a friendship or a job over an offense. Most offenses are unintentional. Often the offender is simply hungry, preoccupied or not feeling great. When we take an offense and build on it, calculate things to say in return, and basically nurse the thing until there is a grudge, no good outcome can occur. It’s easier to forgive, cover the offense with love and move on.
I believe God called me to develop an unoffendable heart at the beginning of this year. I have experienced the ability to overcome one offense, to smile and ignore it and it felt good. Offense is a relationship breaker. Being offendable can sabotage your life. Families, churches, companies and marriages can be ripped apart by perceived offense. Thankfully, God will never leave us uninformed or uncorrected!
Today’s culture of blame, shame and ridicule has brought forth an awakening in many people. In a world where it is claimed you can have everything and be whatever you want to be, it is a blessing to give grace. We see public shaming, many instances going back years and reviving ancient sins to be hung out in public view. It’s like those stocks they used to put people in in the middle of town. Better to give grace, to overlook an offense, to ignore it and move on.
Offense easily evolves into a root of bitterness, which causes awful consequences on mind and body and personality. People may have no idea why they are quick triggered with rage, cussing and self righteousness. I once wondered why I had anger issues and prayed the Prayer of Jabez specifically over that question. God quicky showed me a long-forgotten wound and while it took time, I was able to successfully deal with that situation. God reveals things we do not remember when we’ve allowed a root of bitterness to develop.
When someone says something that could be taken the wrong way, we need to answer in grace. Say a quick prayer for the offender. We never know what they are going through. It is a challenge to smile, forgive, and eventually not even notice stinging words.
Dear Lord, I am so grateful to listen to Your wisdom and to understand it is almost never all about me. You called me Your sister and shared Your amazing Father with me. We are family. Help me to see and understand the internal pain when someone lashes out with remarks that can be taken as an offense. Let my first instinct be to say a prayer for that person’s peace and happiness. Help me to love as You love. Let love be my first choice. Always.
Sensible people control their temper; they earn respect by overlooking wrongs. Proverbs 19:11