The Trap of Offense

I was standing in the grocery store aisle, carefully scanning the shelves for a specific item when two women turned the corner and entered the same space. Without hesitation, they maneuvered right next to me, clearly expecting me to move aside so they could find what they were looking for. My first reaction? Offense. Who did they think they were? I was there first. My mind instantly filled with justifications for my frustration; I felt disrespected and maybe even a little invisible. So, what did I do? I found myself inching myself back into my space to find my item, hoping they would get the hint that I wasn’t going anywhere. They didn’t.

I finally found what I was looking for and walked away, and as I made my way to the checkout stand, that still small voice that we are all too familiar with piped in: Give no room for offense. Conviction! I closed my eyes for a minute and apologized in my heart to God, and like a switch, the joyful mood I had prior to that moment came rushing back in. I exchanged pleasantries with the cashier and bagger and was on my way.

Time For a Spirit Check

It seems like everywhere you look these days, someone is offended. Road rage is a perfect example. Someone cuts us off in traffic, and instead of letting it go, we tailgate them, flash our headlights, throw a hand gesture, or give them that look when we pass. It's not just on the roads, though. Disagree with someone’s opinion, on politics, parenting, or even what kind of milk is best, and suddenly you’re labeled as ignorant, insensitive, or worse. People are offended if you don’t reply to a text fast enough, if you don’t “like” their social media post, or if you accidentally overlook them in a group conversation. It seems we carry invisible offense meters, always ticking, always ready to go off. In this kind of climate, patience and grace feel like foreign languages, but they’re exactly what’s expected of God’s children.

Proverbs 19:11 says, A person’s discretion makes him slow to anger, and it is his glory to overlook an offense.

This might be a good moment for some of us to do a Spirit Check. Offense is one of those things where we all have a choice to make. In the grocery store that day, it wasn’t just about whether I should move aside; it was about whether I would let offense rule my heart or let wisdom take the lead. When offense takes charge, it doesn’t stop there; it follows us, coloring the rest of our day with irritation, pride, or bitterness. But when wisdom leads, God’s gentle counsel steps in and essentially says, “Let it go.” Why? Because offense is a poor reflection of His Kingdom. It’s not just about us; it’s about the witness we carry wherever we go.

At the end of the day, offense is a trap that keeps us focused on ourselves and robs us of peace. Proverbs 19:11 reminds us that it’s to our glory to overlook an offense, not because the other person was right, but because we have chosen to reflect God’s character in those uncomfortable moments. Every situation gives us a chance to respond in the Spirit or react in the flesh.

Choosing to let things go isn’t weakness, it’s strength under control. It’s wisdom in action. And in a world that’s quick to take offense, being slow to anger and rich in grace and mercy might be one of the most powerful testimonies we can offer.

God Bless You,

Carole