Why are we so easily offended?
That’s even a problem for Christians who believe in the fruit of the Spirit. Why do we get so upset about the guy that cuts us off on the highway? Why are we so easily irritated when something doesn’t go our way, or when we feel like we’re not getting what we deserve? And why do we deserve something in the first place?
There are different levels of anger. Sometimes it’s the result of feeling threatened. In an abuse situation, anger protects us. It’s a protest against mistreatment and a motivator to seek a place of safety away from abusive situations.
The trouble is, we’re not always good managers of our anger, so we often feel threatened when we don’t need to. We protest against mild grievances or issues that may not even deserve a response. We pull out a fire hose to put out a match.
Well-known radio personality Brant Hansen says there is no good scriptural argument for holding on to anger or reacting in anger out of a sense of entitlement. In fact, Colossians 3:8 says, “But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth.”
People confuse anger with action. We’re called to take action to correct injustice, but we can’t do that with a clear mind if we’re driven by anger. Think of the police or the military. We don’t want them to act out of anger; we want them to take clear, purposeful action that’s absent of emotion.
That’s our challenge as well. As God is willing to forgive us, so we should be willing to let go of our anger against those who have hurt us.
I work at this every day. I don’t do it perfectly – Jean would be the first to tell you that – but I try to exemplify God through me in frustrating circumstances. Christians should be different from the world, particularly in this area. If everything offends us, maybe we’re the problem. Maybe we need a deeper relationship with Christ.
Brant Hansen has memorable stories and profound insights about letting go of your anger even when it’s hard to do. He has written a wonderful book, Unoffendable. He’s with us on our broadcast “Letting Go of Offenses” to offer advice on how not to let people irritate you.
Brant is well known for his unique and humorous syndicated radio broadcast. Join us for our conversation with him on your local radio station, online, on iTunes, via Podcast, or on our free phone app, or watch the full program on our YouTube channel.
In the meantime, if you’re struggling with anger that you just can’t shake, call us. We’ve got caring Christian counselors who can connect with you and direct you to helpful resources. Our number is 1-800-AFAMILY (232-6459).
And if the Focus on the Family Broadcast is helping you in your spiritual growth and forming you into a better person in Christ, consider a gift to us today. With your donation of any amount, we’ll send you Brant Hansen’s excellent book, Unoffendable: How Just One Change Can Make All of Life Better. (Check our website for details).
And thanks to some generous friends of Focus, if you call us today, your donation amount will be DOUBLED through a matching gift, making twice the impact on families.
Thank you for your prayerful and financial support.
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