Don't Take Things So Personally

    "Don't take things so personally, MaryAnn." I can hear my father's voice saying to me whenever I'd get upset about something someone said to me. But it FELT personal so it must have been personal, I'd reason to myself. Then I would withdraw or push the person far away in my heart. And honestly, who wants to talk to someone who gets offended all the time by what they say to them?

    Recently, it happened again, but this time it was from a very good friend. I called her to let her know how she'd hurt my feelings, but I wasn't prepared to hear what she had to say next. She confided that she felt like she walked around "on eggshells" when she talked to me. Ouch. 

    Granted, my personality type is melancholic. I am a deep thinker and feeler. But I could no longer justify this as acceptable behavior and I knew I was chasing her away. Perhaps God wants me to grow in this area?

    The Bible tells us to speak our truth in love and to show the person their fault when they sin against us. True. But It also says, "Do not take seriously all words which are spoken, so that you will not hear your servant cursing you." And it continues, "for you know that even you have cursed others many times as well." Ouch, again. 

    There it is, straight from the Bible. Don't take things so personally. 

    Maybe I DON'T have to take every word someone says to me to heart. Hallelujah, I’m free!
    I don't know about you, but I need people in my life and I want good friendships. 

    Lord, please help me to be a gracious woman who does not take everything that others say to me so personally. For I, too, have said things that were not helpful to others or thought things that were not right. I want good friends in my life. I desire friendships that are loving, kind, and respectful toward one another. I do not want to chase others away from me. Help me discern which offenses I should overlook and which ones I should gently bring up. And when I do, let me do it positively. Help me encourage them, humbly tell them how I felt, and then finish with how much I appreciate them as a friend or co-worker. 

    In your Son's name, I pray, Amen.

Do you get offended easily? If so, I'd love to hear your story and how you've overcome it. What part of this message was helpful to you?

Have a great Memorial Day Weekend!

Notes:

Ephesians 4:15- "Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church."

Matthew 18:15-17-“If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over."

Ecclesiastes 7:21-22-"Do not pay attention to every word people say, or you may hear your servant cursing you— for you know in your heart that many times you yourself have cursed."

Encouraging an