Easily Offended or Quick to Let It Go?

Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.” Luke 23:34 (NLT)

One Sunday I was driving to church when a car and a truck suddenly stopped in front of me. The car had cut the truck off, so after passing the car, the driver of the truck slammed on his brakes and prevented the car from getting around him.

Both parties jumped out of their vehicles and started yelling as they walked toward each other.When he was close enough, the driver of the truck hit the other man so hard that he fell backward to the ground.

I know that things like traffic and waiting in line at a store can be frustrating, but don’t allow yourself to get offended. If you lose it over something as minor as someone cutting you off, how will you develop the ability to keep it together when more serious things happen to you?

If you’re easily offended, you’ll always be angry with someone. You may not have as extreme a reaction as the guy in the truck did, but you’ll constantly be irritated and disappointed. The emotional overreactions you have to these offenses can become more serious over time.

Often we hang on to resentment with the argument, “They don’t know what they did to me.” But whenJesus asked God to forgive those who crucified Him, He basically said, “Forgive them because they don’t know what they’re doing to me.” In other words, you don’t have to convince people of how hurt you are before you forgive them. You can get into the habit of forgiving quickly.

Often people don’t mean to hurt you. Remember this before you jump to conclusions and it’ll be easier to let things go quickly and get on with your day.