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How the soul gets sick…

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November 15, 2021

Have you ever gone to bed and woke up feeling terribly sick? A sniffle or scratchy throat had turned into a full-blown cold or flu overnight. When we fail to surrender offense quickly, our soul gets sick, too.

Two weeks ago, a person called me an ugly name. I took offense, but I didn’t say anything to her out of not wanting to cause conflict. I was in my feelings, but I realized quickly I didn’t want to feel so miserable. I prayed for God to help me forgive her as He had forgiven me.

Therefore, as God’s chosen ones, holy and dearly loved, put on compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, bearing with one another and forgiving one another if anyone has a grievance against another. Just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you are also to forgive.

Colossians 3:12-13

I released the offense to God and let it go. Proverbs 17:9 has more wisdom for handling offense, “Whoever conceals an offense promotes love, but whoever gossips about it separates friends.” The person who covers offense is the one who “seeks” love. Love is a foundational truth in Christianity. To overlook being offended and forgive leaves room for God’s vengeance. For He will repay, in due time (Romans 12:19).

Years ago, I would have held on to that offense. Stewed over it. Re-winded it over and over. Rehearsed my response to her although the moment had passed. This small blip in time would become a huge emotional snare. My soul would be overwhelmed with the sickness of offense.

When we allow our souls to get sick, it can throw our entire body-soul-spirit out of balance. The emotional offense will try to overshadow the Spirit and have you acting outside of where God wants you to be. Looking for ways to seek our own revenge, when it’s not even ours.

Let me encourage you to check your offenses. Release them to Jesus. Surrender it now. Only He has a balm for the sickness within your soul. The Lord will strengthen your Spirit and fill you with wisdom on navigating forward. We will no longer allow the actions and offenses of others to be our stumbling block!

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