the cause and effect of these two things can mess up years of friendship. Trust issues escalate to broken hearts once the trend of insensitivity and offence are not addressed. We sometimes think that situations can mend themselves together and people tend to forget...but that's not what happens. Most of the time, it grows into an uncontrollable monster that eats the offended ones from the inside out then leaves them bitter and unforgiving for the rest of their lives while the other party would grow more apathetic till they themselves start questioning their own trustworthiness.
This world will always be full of insensitivity and offence...it's the evil that comes with the fallen status. I hate to say this but it's inevitable...people will get offended at some point in their lives. It's part of our selfish arrogant nature. We think that we are worth a bit of respect, a bit of praise, a bit of this and a bit of that...when in contrast the Bible tells us that our righteousness are nothing but filthy rags. I hate to burst your bubble, but no one is worth even an ounce of anything...we are fallen, unworthy and doomed to experience death in every aspect of the word. But then Jesus still came to save us...now that's something you should consider.
If you are prone to be apathetic and insensitive and do not give a rat's ass about how people feel...then I pity you. You may only be deceiving yourself as you portray a confident "i-don't-care" attitude...but in reality, you are as insecure as the person you offended. An attitude of apathy is arrogance in a much higher level than you think. Not thinking about what you say is like firing a gun over a crowded area. Don't be caught up by children's rants about sticks and stones breaking bones and words never hurting...cause words do hurt...and can even kill! Think about the people of God shouting "CRUCIFY HIM!" during the illegal trials of Jesus...they're just words...but these words pushed Pilate to send Jesus to the cross. Not just words but your actions also...think about everything you do! You're not alone in this world...learn to adjust...It's the right thing to do.
If, on the other hand, you are on the other end of the pendulum...then stop being a cry baby. Don't be surprised with the capacity of a person to say stuff that hurts...everyone has an old sin nature...even you! If you get offended, muster enough integrity to tell the person...sometimes, the person who offended you is not fully aware that you got hurt. And once you do, and they apologize, drop it and move on. The problem with people who are easily offended is that they list the offences and store them in the deepest and darkest part of their soul...so that when the same person offends them again, they'll make sure it's brought up. I'm guilty of this...and every time I look back and remember my bitter self, my stomach churns...I can't take my childish self. It irritates me to death to hear or even see myself in someone. Once offended...confront with love...forgive with grace...and forget with an ultimate attitude of mercy.
Remember that the stronger person adjusts. If you are a believer and you are committed in growing spiritually, you will start building within you a sensor of awareness that discerns and takes into consideration the history, patterns of aggression and feelings of people...it's called SENSITIVITY. Even if you posses an out going, pushy and controlling type of personality...the sensitivity within you built through consistent study of Bible doctrine will balance you out.(read Tim LaHaye's Spirit Controlled Temperament) This sensitivity will also allow you to discern if people who are prone to say rubbish are worth taking into consideration...hence, avoiding offence. A violent reaction is therefore turned into a loving response
So people...watch your actions...watch your words...and confront in love once offended! Never give the evil of insensitivity the opportunity to breed a spirit of offence within each and everyone of you!
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