Run from Offence 

My beloved, I know you encounter difficult people. They make you feel drained, hurt and sad. While it’s easy to take offence and respond adversely, you know that is not the Kingdom way.

Precious one, My heart is for you to go higher. 

I am calling you to show love, kindness and patience to the hard because they need it the most. Showing them love will open their hearts to receive My love so I can do a work in them. Closing your heart inspires contempt, giving space to the enemy so he can hurt them more. It takes nothing to love easy people, but I have set you apart to love the hard. If not you, then who? When you recognize the truth that they are acting out of wounds, your heart softens, unlocking compassion. And, when you acknowledge you have hurt people too, you are humbled to forgive and take the high road.

My child, do not fall into the trap of offence. Remember, this is not a battle against flesh and blood, but against evil. See their worth through My eyes, and focus on your assignment with them. 

My heart is for them to experience My love, see the truth, repent, and be set free. You expand the Kingdom with love. Love the difficult people in your life. Do good to them, bless them, and pray that they find healing and freedom. You were once in their shoes, but thankfully you found Me. I want them to find Me, too.

Activation: Take an account of the difficult people in your life. Choose to repent for holding onto any hurt and unforgiveness towards them. Lay it at Jesus’s feet, and allow Him to mend your wounds once and for all. Root your self-worth in God. Declare your healing, and armour up. Anticipate seeing them. Set appropriate boundaries, but make a choice now to show love, kindness and patience no matter how they treat you. Pray for their hearts and bless them, that they may find God.

Matthew 5:43-48 (MSG)

You’re familiar with the old written law, ‘Love your friend,’ and its unwritten companion, ‘Hate your enemy.’ I’m challenging that. I’m telling you to love your enemies. Let them bring out the best in you, not the worst. When someone gives you a hard time, respond with the supple moves of prayer, for then you are working out of your true selves, your God-created selves. This is what God does. He gives his best—the sun to warm and the rain to nourish—to everyone, regardless: the good and bad, the nice and nasty. If all you do is love the lovable, do you expect a bonus? Anybody can do that. If you simply say hello to those who greet you, do you expect a medal? Any run-of-the-mill sinner does that. In a word, what I’m saying is, Grow up. You’re kingdom subjects. Now live like it. Live out your God-created identity. Live generously and graciously toward others, the way God lives toward you.

2 Timothy 2:23-26 (ESV)

Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels. And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will.