Rooted in God's Love

1 Corinthians 13:5-love is not easily offended

Many of us go about our daily lives with open wounds as if we are targets waiting around to be offended by the next hurtful words that come our way. These painful arrows often attack us by surprise if we let them and come out of the mouths of our friends, co-workers, or whomever we encounter throughout our days.

Whatever comment said by this unsuspected person probably penetrated the areas in which we are weakest.  These vulnerable spots have less to do with the person's intent to hurt us but are more often rooted in the deeper issues of our hearts where we might need healing, and/or perspective. Maybe it's we don't feel secure, maybe it's we feel entitled.

At some point when we encountered Jesus, He spoke the truth to us; He told us who we are, the image in who we were created, the value He placed on us, promising us the plans He has prepared for us in advance to do. He showed us His love through His sacrifice of His life in place of our own so we might have a right relationship with the Father and live with Him forever.

We look to His example of how he responded to people who were mean to Him: In 1 Peter 2:23 it says, "When they hurled their insults at Him, He did not retaliate; when He suffered, He made no threats. Instead, He entrusted Himself to Him who judges justly."

The next time hurtful words come your way, be rooted in God's love. Pray for wisdom, and answer kindly, with honesty and humility, or don't answer at all and pray for them. That's all. And rejoice that you are in the spiritual battle with a place in His Kingdom.