“When you take offense you start playing defense with your life. . . . You let skepticism and cynicism seep into your soul. If you don’t deal with it, taking offense festers in your spirit until it turns into bitterness. And bitterness doesn’t just rob us of our joy; it steals the blessing.”- Mark Batterson
“A person’s wisdom yields patience; it is to one’s glory to overlook an offense.”- Proverbs 19:11 (NIV)
Mark Batterson concludes Chapter 6 of Double Blessing with the final three hard-earned lessons he’s learned along the way.
4. You control what you control. As Pastor Batterson observes, it’s much harder to react like a Christian than to act like a Christian. Certainly, you can’t control how people treat you. But, you can always control how you treat other people. Above all, Mark exhorts, do your level best to make sure everyone you encounter feels loved, heard, and blessed.
5. It’s okay to not be okay. Our weaknesses embarrass us. However, it’s those very weaknesses that make us more likable and easy to relate to. Because, just like Jacob, our limp reminds us of what we’ve gone through to receive the blessing.
6. The blessings of God will complicate your life. As Pastor Batterson points out, sin complicates your life in ways it shouldn’t be complicated. In contrast, God’s blessings complicate your life in beneficial ways. As a result, Mark counsels:
“If you ask me to pray that God would make your life easier, I won’t do it. I pray that God would complicate your life in ways that only He can — with double blessing! . . . If we’re being honest, many of our prayers revolve around personal comfort. I’d advocate the opposite. If you’re feeling courageous, try this prayer: Lord, complicate my life!”
In conclusion, Mark asserts, to receive God’s full blessing your must do God’s will God’s way. Therefore, you cannot equate your way with the way. Or, as Oswald Chambers once said, “Never make a principle out of your experience.”
Today’s question: When you take offense, how do you start playing defense? Please share.
Tomorrow’s blog: “Helicopter parent – not God’s style”