Agreeing to live without what God withholds means letting the potter be the potter and recognize you are the clay. His ways are not our ways. His thoughts are not our thoughts. He thinks generationally and eternally. We are short sighted and linear. It’s often best for us to simply be still and know that He is God. (Psalm 46:10)
Part of living un-offended with God is to look to what He is doing and not to what He hasn’t done. Surround yourself with testimonies about what God is doing, but watch your heart as you do. If you’re asking “Why them and not me?” you’re not choosing to live un-offended at God. Look to what He is doing and not to what He hasn’t done.
Part of living un-offended with God is to give up our right to understand. We are promised peace that passes understanding so why are we so eager to settle with being anxious to understand? Start reading in the Psalms and read until you get to one that is the cry of your heart. Then spend considerable time considering it. You probably won’t understand your situation, but you’ll understand that the Father understands, and that’s enough to make a huge difference in your level of peace.
Are you in the place where your situation, through no fault of your own, is not in agreement with how the Bible says it should be?
Choose to live un-offended with God.
Heavenly Father, I have believed a lie to think you have let me down by (name the area). I agree with you that this belief is sin because you are Good and I ask for your forgiveness. Father, tell me the truth about the situation. (Listen for what He says). Lord, I choose to live un-offended at you. I agree to live without what you withhold. I choose to look to what you are doing and not to what you haven’t done. I give up my right to understand that I might have the peace that passes understanding. Thank you for being so good.
Trev,
This article spoke to me in a candid and real way. As a ministry leader I at times find myself questioning the issue of enabling support. After a lifetime of ministry and missions including having served as a self supported missionary to Latin America, there are times when this calling to found and establish M300 Ministries foams like a thrashing wave. Most of it has to do with my desire as a husband an father to be the provider but the Lord made clear that this calling was a full time balance of lifetime calling. Sometimes I think…It would have been easier to join up with an existing organization but then the Lord convicts me back to hearing His voice and doing all that He ask of me. After one year of walking on the water there are days that you skip gleefully over the waves and other days that your tread water.
Thank you for including the correct prayer at the end of your writing. I prayed it sincerely and the Lord spoke to me through the Holy Spirit with an understanding that is consistent with scripture.
I encourage you to do like writings to share with us as ministry leaders who are out on the foaming waves.
Blessings
Thanks Wayne, it sounds like you and I are in the same place – on the waves – I often need to stop and ask God if I’m offended at Him… and often when I slow down enough from my own efforts I realize I am. Praying for you. Glad we’re connected on Twitter…and in the Kingdom
Very good article. I can testify that I used to live the offended life, and I constantly doubted whether God really loved me. That is settled now. I can say that confidently because I lost a job I loved on account of someone’s gossip. I had all kinds of emotional swings, but I have never once doubted God’s love since then, even though I have not completely recovered. Life is rocky now, but it’s much better than it was when I was so constantly offended that I doubted God’s love. I pray that your article will someone who is still living with offenses and doubts God’s love.
Praying for you. Life is rocky for us as well, but it’s best to look at the one walking on the waves telling you to come than to focus on the waves all around. Blessings and thanks for the comments. Praying they encourage others who drop by over time.