Scripture
‘So Jacob sent word to Rachel and Leah to come out to the fields where his flocks were. He said to them, “I see that your father’s attitude toward me is not what it was before, but the God of my father has been with me. ‘
Observation
Jacob noticed that his father in law was having attitude issues. Instead of getting all wrapped up in a spirit of offense, Jacob honestly acknowledged the reality of the situation….and then got on with his life. The conclusion of Jacob’s statement was not a statement of offense because of someone else’s attitude, but a statement of victory because of God’s presence in his life.
Application
“Offense”…the very word brings so much baggage with it. As humanity we will often claim not to like the way someone treats us….but oh my do we love to hang onto that same offense as long as possible! Like the guy in the toothpaste commercial, tightly squeezing the tube to “get his money’s worth”, our nature seems to compel us to squeeze every ounce of self-righteousness and self-pity out of the smallest offenses. Sometimes it is easier to just point out that someone else is the worse person, instead of simply being the better person ourselves. I’ve been having lots of opportunities for offense. Some legitimate, some imagined. But through it all, God is with me. I need to choose to keep my eyes uplifted to my savior, instead of looking down my nose at those that have wronged me.
Prayer
God, thank you that you are with me! Help me to acknowledge difficult realities with honesty, without holding onto a spirit of offense. Thank you for forgiving me time and time again, and help me to extend your forgiveness to those around me.