Ever wondered why it is that we seem to get so offended when others don’t agree with us or worse still, criticize us? We aren’t alone in this. A quick look through the Bible shows that throughout history, many were disappointed at situations in their lives.
Let’s look at some scriptures:
Jer.4:19 My soul, my soul! I am in anguish!
Psa.31:9 …for I am in distress; My eye is wasted away from grief, my soul and my body also.
Psa.42:5 Why are you in despair, O my soul? And why have you become disturbed within me?
Psa.42:6 O my God, my soul is in despair within me; (David mentioned this a few times in the Psalms)
Psa.69:10 …When I wept in my soul
Psa.77:2 … My soul refused to be comforted.
Psa.119:20 …My soul is crushed
Psa.119:28 …My soul weeps because of grief;
Isa.38:15 “… I will wander about all my years because of the bitterness of my soul.”
Just what is it that causes us, as mankind, to be offended or disappointed?
As humans we are made up in the following way: the Body – our physical form; a Soul – our emotional or intellectual part – and then we have our Spirit – which is that part of us that will live forever.
Our Soul is where emotions and intellect are situated so obviously it is there where we are disturbed when things don’t go ‘our way’.
Our Souls can be likened to a car. Each car has its own characteristics and behaves differently from other cars. It really depends on how the engine of that car drives it. It’s the same with our Souls. If our Soul is controlled by the sinful nature which we inherited from Adam, then it will behave in a manner contrary to God’s word and we end up disappointing God. If, on the other hand, our Soul is controlled by the Holy Spirit, we draw closer to God and are filled with peace.
So… it is the old nature within us which gets disappointed and offended on a day to day basis. This nature craves attention from others, constantly doings things in order to get positive praise from people. It’s not always a bad thing to get attention from others. However, if we become totally consumed by the disappointment and stress of not receiving praise or recognition, then it is not good for us. We become so centred on the disappointment that we cannot clearly see God or others in our lives.
If we focus on people and strive for their attention, we will constantly be disappointed in one way or another. On the other hand, if we focus on the Lord, we will grow in peace, as we learn to accept that what is currently happening in our lives, is actually His will for us.
Look at these scriptures of the Souls that focussed on the Lord:
Psa_30:12 That my soul may sing praise to You
Psa.42:1 …So my soul pants for You, O God.
Psa.42:2 …My soul thirsts for God,
Psa.103:2 … Bless the LORD, O my soul, (David said this many times)
Psa.116:7 …Return to your rest, O my soul, For the LORD has dealt bountifully with you.
Psa.55:18 …He has redeemed my soul in peace from the battle that was against me,
We may feel that God is no different to others because He hasn’t allowed things to happen in our lives the way WE want them to happen – but honestly speaking – God knows what’s best for us and something positive comes from every situation He allows into our lives (even if it takes a long time!).
Only joy and peace can come from seeking recognition from God.
If we are feeling disappointed, offended or angry about a situation close to us right now – is it perhaps because we are seeking recognition from a person and we feel we’re not getting the level of praise WE think we should be getting? Which do we prefer – being offended and disappointed or living a life of peace and joy? It’s our choice – recognition from man – or recognition from God?
Thanks for spending this time with me. May you constantly see all the blessings that our Father has poured out on you and yours daily. God bless until we meet with the Master again soon.
From: “…time with the Master…”