It doesn’t take much: someone forgets to text back, a co-worker uses the wrong tone, or a friend skips your invite, and suddenly, your mood shifts. You replay the moment. You read into the silence. You wonder what you did wrong or what they really meant.
Offense is subtle like that. It creeps in quietly and settles deep. But Scripture offers a better way. Proverbs 19:11 says, “A person’s wisdom yields patience; it is to one’s glory to overlook an offense.”That’s not about ignoring real hurt. It’s about learning which moments are worth holding onto, and which are better released.
Most offenses aren’t about big betrayals. They’re small moments of misunderstanding or human imperfection. But when we pick up every little thing, we end up carrying a heavy weight we were never meant to hold. We start reacting instead of responding. We build walls instead of bridges
The more centered you are in God’s love, the less room there is for petty offenses to grow. When your identity is secure in Him, you’re not constantly searching for validation or reading between the lines. You can give people the benefit of the doubt because you know you’re already accepted by the One who matters most.
Ask God to help you see people through His eyes. Often, the comment that rubbed you the wrong way came from someone who’s hurting. The silence you took personally may have had nothing to do with you. And even when someone does get it wrong, grace allows you to let it go without losing your peace.
You can choose what to carry. You can choose to be free.
Over time, with practice and prayer, you’ll find yourself less reactive, more grounded, and far less offended by things that used to ruin your day. That’s the power of grace at work.
You can write the Pastor at pastorbilly@findtruelife.com.