Easily Offended

I think it's safe for me to say that I am not very easily offended. At all.

If you forget to call me.. that's ok. If you can't come to a party/dinner I'm having.... that's ok, too. If life goes by and I don't hear from you in a while... that's ok. If you didn't like the mushy meatloaf I made... that's most definitely ok! LOL! And so on..... I'm fully aware that we all have lives of our own. :)

In fact, if someone ever does offend me, I make it a point to get the issue resolved as quickly as possible. I do not mind confrontation at all. I would much rather get everything out in the open and then move on. Period.

Then, why? Oh, why do I think other people are easily offended by me?!?!? Why?!

Why do I always assume that people are mad at me for something I said or did? Why do I try my very hardest not to offend anyone?? (unless it's something I believe very strongly in, of course.) Why do I spend countless hours wondering if "so-and-so" is mad at me or if I shouldn't have said "such-and-such"??

I could say it's because I've been around enough people talking about how "this person said (fill in the blank) to me, and it really made me mad!!". Or I could say it's because I've heard people say how they were upset with someone else, but then acted like there was nothing wrong.

I could say those were the reasons... but that's not the honest truth.

I have 3 words for you. In - secur - ity. Well, that and fear. So, four words, I guess. teehee.

The truth is I'm not comfortable enough in my own skin to just accept that there may be times when I unintentionally offend someone. And I'm not confident enough to realize that it's ok. It's not my problem. I'm not talking about being insensitive to people's needs and feelings. But, if I have the best intentions, then there shouldn't be any problems, right? I'd like to think so. I fear people (man), so to speak.

Psalm 118:6 The LORD is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me?

2 Timothy 1:7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.."

Another way I have looked at this is it's actually just plain old pride. The first and most horrible (in my opinion) sin. Indirectly, anyway. If you think about it, if I'm constantly concerned about what others are thinking about me, instead of concerned about how they are actually doing, than aren't I really just thinking about me?? I mean, after all is said and done?

Proverbs 13:10 By pride comes nothing but strife, But with the well-advised is wisdom. Great verse. Nothing comes out of pride, but strife. Can I get an "Amen!"? Ha!

So there you have it. From now on, I'm going to continue to try really hard not to offend anyone, but if I do.. oh, well. I wasn't trying to. :)