I Will Not Be Offended

Do you ever feel like a raw nerve? I mean like you feel like a raw nerve, not that you feel a raw nerve. Does that make sense? For me the answer is YES! There have been times in my life that I have felt like everyone is out to get me and I’m asking why I can’t catch a break. But what if we repeated this mantra to ourselves: I Will Not Be Offended?

You see, the truth of the matter is that each of us, every single one of us, has at times, done something to offend someone else. When I think back to things I said or did I cringe. What was I thinking??? Of course at the time of the transgression I meant no harm. It’s never my intention yet it’s bound to happen. Signals get crossed, communication is misinterpreted, we are tired, we are cranky, we are HUMAN.

This is Important

This is important and here’s why: you ultimately decide how you react to people so why in the world would hand over the power of how we feel to someone else? Think about it. Why let someone steal your joy? Since you cannot control what other say or how they act why allow them to control you?

We are going to come across people who are rude, insensitive, unkind, unhappy, jealous, etc. but we can decide if we let the problems negative people have become our own. I do understand that sometimes the things people say to us are so cruel and really hurt but I promise you that if you refuse to be offended you will be better off.

It is not easy and I admit, I find myself hurt and offended sometimes too. But I am learning, ever so slowly, that I have to take control of how I feel. It is hard but what if we refused to be offended AND we granted a little grace to others? Wouldn’t we all be better off?

What It Means

What does this mean, anyway? It means that you will repeat to yourself over, and over again “I will not be offended” daily, hourly, or by the minute. Sure, it will sting when someone throws you a zinger but step away for a second and ask yourself a few questions:

is this a new behavior from this person
how well do I know this person
does their opinion really matter
could I have misinterpreted
did I check for clarity

If someone you know puts you down all the time, why be around them? Maybe you have no choice, you might be related or work with them. If that’s the case then be prepared. Not with a snarky comeback (that kinda solves nothing) but tell yourself I will not be offended. Practice it. Over and over and over again.

Maybe it’s someone you don’t know really well. Maybe you are not certain of their intention. Maybe it’s not really someone whose opinion matters. Maybe you misinterpreted what they said. Maybe you should check for clarity? Say this, “did I just hear you say…”

So during those seasons of life when you are feeling a little like a raw nerve, tell yourself I will not be offended. Practice it. Make it a habit. Eventually this will be how you behave and you’ll find yourself free of the burden of other people’s problems.

Let me know what you think. I love reading your comments below!

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I Will Not Be Offended