For my birthday last year, my big sister, Leah, gave me the book Unoffendable by Brant Hanson. Except I lost it, so I never read it. Until I found it about two weeks ago while I was decluttering my closet. No idea how it ended up in there, but it did. Anyways, I found the book, so I started reading it. I just finished it last night. And wow. Hanson introduces the radical idea that we can just decide to not be offended by things people say and do. I’ll be honest: by the time I read the first two paragraphs, I had already decided that he was crazy. But I decided to stick it out and read the whole book anyways. That was probably one of the best decisions I’ve made all year. I highly recommend you read the book, but just in case you can’t, I’ll sum it up for you. The book is basically saying that we have no right to be angry (crazy, right?). But the more I read, the more I realized that he was right. Through scriptures and anecdotes from his own life, Hanson proves several statements to be true: we can decide to be unoffendable; we have no right to anger; we there is no such thing as “righteous anger”; when we become offended, we’re removing our trust from God; and God’s love and mercy for us is unconditional. I know it’s a crazy idea, but it makes sense. So today, I’m going to give you eight scriptures that disprove your (in Brant’s words) Made Up Right To Anger.
1. James 1:20 Human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. Honestly, I could stop here having proven my point. If something isn’t righteous in God’s eyes, we shouldn’t do it. Simple as that. But for those of you who aren’t convinced, here’s another scripture. 2. Proverbs 29:11 Fools give full vent to their rage, but the wise bring calm in the end. This verse is also very simple and straightforward. Giving in to your anger makes you a fool. You could argue that you do, in fact, have a right to be angry. And I would say, “Sure you do. That is, if you want to be a fool in God’s eyes.” I don’t know anyone who would want to be anything less than wise. Letting go of your anger is the first step to wisdom. 3. Proverbs 19:11 …it is one’s glory to overlook an offense. Overlooking an offense will bring glory. Not defending yourself; not Gettin angry; not lashing out in that anger. None of those things bring glory to God. There’s more on “overlooking offenses” in the next scripture. 4. Matthew 5:39 But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. I realize that this isn’t a very appealing thought. Retaliation and revenge are programmed into our brains from society. But this is not what God wants. If someone wrongs you, God wants you to, instead of “getting them back”, give them another chance. 5. Psalm 37:8 Refrain from anger and turn from wrath… This one needs no explanation. 6. Matthew 5:22 But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgement. I can only speak for myself here, but I know that I would much rather deal with my anger and become unoffendable right now, than have to answer to God for it on Judgement Day. But that’s just me. 7. Proverbs 22:24 Do not make friends with a hot-tempered person, do not associate with one easily angered. Not only does God not want us to be angry, he doesn’t even want us to be associated with angry people. That says a lot to me about God’s thoughts on anger and revenge. 8. Colossians 3:8 But now you must also rid yourself of all such things as these: anger, rage… Get rid of it. Completely. Don’t hold onto your anger for people who “deserve it”. Don’t hang onto it and lash out at people wen they wrong you. Let it go. I know this whole idea of being unoffendable and turning the other cheek is pretty radical. But I truly believe that it’s what God wants. And I would much rather follow God’s will for my life than do my own thing.
1 Comment
Leah
5/6/2020 05:34:05 pm
Love ya like crazy, T!
Reply
Leave a Reply. |
MissionIn short, I started this blog because I want to give girls all over the world hope. All of the topics I write about on this blog are things that I have struggled with or am still struggling with. I want to help young women everywhere achieve freedom through Christ. Archives
May 2020
Categories
All
|