HANDLING OFFENSE

The Bible says when we're offended, we need to leave our gift at the Lord's altar, and go to that one to set it right.  Offense is one of the easiest emotions to take on since it's hard to recognize and disguises itself with all sorts of reasons why we have the right to be mad at the persons who did us wrong. 

Especially in this modern digital age when life is so fast paced, we often don't have time to garnish true relationships with everyone we come in contact, even putting time constraints on those in the same house.  Many families find themselves devoting more time to entertainment than to listening to one another which is a major cause of isolation, loneliness and rejection.  Instead of offenses being dealt with as they come up in small spats, they are forced into the back ground slowly driven deep within a persons soul only to rise up when similar situations occur throughout a person's lifetime causing us to react with each instance.

This widens the gap in communication and understanding leaving us unable to trust fully, and building years of walls around us.  And Oh, the bigger the offense, the greater the pain and the thicker the walls which protects a root of bitterness as it grows into full grown tree.  James 1...  Often we see the fruit of that tree in a person who does really terrible and evil things, minor or major. 

So how do we deal with the pain caused by offense.  First of all we ask the help of the Lord to give us the ability to look at the situation as a person looking from the outside.  Having a person we can trust to talk and pray with is also very beneficial.  The Bible says, confess your sins one to another so we may be healed.

Then put ourselves in the offenders shoes and ask the Holy Spirit to reveal truth as to why they acted that way or said that hurtful thing.  Then pray for our offender to be healed.  Remember in the Book of Job, he lost his whole family, all his wealth and came down with painful boils all over his body.  Once he prayed for his offensive friends, God healed him of all his wounds, trouble and blessed him more than before.

So it's important to forgive our offenders, forgive God (since we often blame Him), and then forgive ourselves, recieving the cleansing He offers through Jesus payment on the Cross.  We can accept that payment by dedicating our lives to Him and turning from our offenses and sins.

Now this entire process may be instantaneous or take a while.  When we're hurt by others it causes a state of grief which is important for us to process emotions. And if we don't release these emotions, anger can set in leading to blame, bitterness and a hidden rage against others, ourselves and God.  This often leads to depression, addictions, deviances and eventually mental and physical illnesses, because the Human body cannot sustain the level of pressure built up without release.  No amount of pills will take away the pain, they only mask it to be bearable, and allows the root of pain to fester.

So the best thing to do for ourselves, is to enlist the help of the Holy Spirit, who Jesus said was sent to be the comforter and counselor to those who accept Him.  If neccessary, go to the offensive person and discuss the issue with them.  Often offenses are just misunderstandings, but if they are unable to hear you, forgive them anyway, drop the offense.  By carrying it around, we are only lugging around their sin, and our own is heavy enough. 

This is a great beginning and effective way to live a healthy and peaceful life.

May God restore and bless you in every way.

Olga Hermann

SIGHT AND SOUND

Today I read something incredible.  When we view something digitally, whether by Internet or TV, we are actually hearing sound, which makes so much sense, since God spoke to produce light.  His sound is still echoing across the Universe producing in-kind offspring through His Life carrying Voice when He first said, "Let There Be Light". And there was.
Olga Hermann

BEING STILL TO KNOW GOD

What Does It Mean To:  "Be Still And Know I AM GOD"?

Some say that means spending time with God in His Word, the Bible.  The passage comes from Psalm 46:10, where King David wrote in his song, that God calls for peace in the midst of the upheavel in the earth, then all will understand He is God.

Reading the Bible and being familiar with God's word is extremely important since it's hard to know who God is, without reading the words He gave His prophets.  In it we learn the geneology of mankind, particularly Yeshua the prophecied son of David, King of Israel and all eternity.  The Bible is His-Story. 

The word "know" in the Bible often refers to an intimate and close relationship, such as "Adam knew Eve and she conceived a son".

The first part of God's instruction is, "Be Still".  This may sound easy but is really extremly hard in a society filled with noise and distractions.  Most of us struggle with this, whether we're young and physically active or older and mentally active.  

Jesus said, "my sheep hear my voice and will follow no other".  So first we have to ask ourselves, "Are we His sheep?  If we aren't sure, then we need to decide if we want to believe, then dedicate our lives to Him, by renouncing our sinful ways, and accepting his forgiveness in order to "follow Him". 

Secondly, an important part of our discipline is to learn to be still;  not reading, writing, doing, singing, chanting, etc.. just waiting on Him.  When I first began practicing this, it would take hours to quiet my mind enough to hear His voice.  And when I allow too many things to weigh me down, it still does.  But once we make that time as a special date time with Him, we will hear His "still small voice" clearly enough to hold conversations with this ONE who is closer than a brother and more intimate than a lover, because His Spirit lives in all who invite Him. 

Prayer should never be a one-sided conversation with us doing all the planning and talking.  In this way, by sharpening our listening skills, we come to "Know" HIM.  And there is no earthly relationship more deeply intense and wonderful.

Olga Hermann