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Offended Three
Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification.
Romans 14:19 NIV
What do you do once you have offended someone? Obviously there will be times when offending someone is unavoidable. Some people easily misunderstand what others say. Some people just seem to carry their feelings �on their shoulders�. So, since people will get offended, what can we do to try and repair or restore a healthy relationship?
First, I think we must work to rebuild trust. Trust is built over time. Trust is usually not given lightly or blindly. Allow the person you have offended time to regain your trust. Trust is rebuilt as the other party sees you being trustworthy, so be a trustworthy person in all your dealings with the offended party.
Second, be sure to seek forgiveness. Part of having healthy relationships is that there are no wedges between you and the others in the relationship. Be quick to offer forgive ness. Extend grace if required. If applicable, pay back anything that is owed by you to the offended person.
Third, live with a forgiven heart. Don�t be a martyr about the things you�ve done wrong. That is never an appealing quality. If you offended someone, seek forgiveness and then move forward. Don�t continue to beat yourself up over the offense. Don�t allow the other party to use the offense against you. Once God has forgiven you and you have genuinely sought forgiveness from the offended person, you are freed to move forward with your life. (That doesn�t mean there will not be consequences for your offense. If you did something legally wrong, for example, you will still face legal consequences, but in an emotional and spiritual sense you are free to move forward.)
Part of living in community with other believers is trying hard not to offend people, but then working to resolve that offense once it occurs.
Romans 14:19 NIV
What do you do once you have offended someone? Obviously there will be times when offending someone is unavoidable. Some people easily misunderstand what others say. Some people just seem to carry their feelings �on their shoulders�. So, since people will get offended, what can we do to try and repair or restore a healthy relationship?
First, I think we must work to rebuild trust. Trust is built over time. Trust is usually not given lightly or blindly. Allow the person you have offended time to regain your trust. Trust is rebuilt as the other party sees you being trustworthy, so be a trustworthy person in all your dealings with the offended party.
Second, be sure to seek forgiveness. Part of having healthy relationships is that there are no wedges between you and the others in the relationship. Be quick to offer forgive ness. Extend grace if required. If applicable, pay back anything that is owed by you to the offended person.
Third, live with a forgiven heart. Don�t be a martyr about the things you�ve done wrong. That is never an appealing quality. If you offended someone, seek forgiveness and then move forward. Don�t continue to beat yourself up over the offense. Don�t allow the other party to use the offense against you. Once God has forgiven you and you have genuinely sought forgiveness from the offended person, you are freed to move forward with your life. (That doesn�t mean there will not be consequences for your offense. If you did something legally wrong, for example, you will still face legal consequences, but in an emotional and spiritual sense you are free to move forward.)
Part of living in community with other believers is trying hard not to offend people, but then working to resolve that offense once it occurs.
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