Offended at God

I noticed that I seem to have an overwhelming concern when I think I have offended anyone. Though I pride myself on the fact that I follow the Golden Rule in my everday life - while driving in traffic, on the job, in the fast food line, at the bank, in the grocery store, and in my home. I am always mindful of how my actions are effecting others. Yet when others seem to disapprove of my actions, and my well intended behavior, I am laying awake worried about it.

Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. This has been my life's mantra since I can remember, even before I knew it was a Bible verse, I lived by it. But even on my best day when I think I am being my wonderful self, someone is likely to be offended by something I did or said. Why do I allow that to bother me?

I heard Marilyn Hickey say a long time ago, "I love people, and people love me." This was her way of combating the haters. I think people love me too, certainly to know me is to love me. To understand me is even better. Instead of being offended, the offended will say, "I know Dee's heart and she would never intentionally hurt anyone."

Well lately, I have been offended at God, wondering how He can seemingly sit on His throne and allow evil people to treat others so badly and get away with it. I questioned His justice, and His love. If He can see an innocent person being brutally mistreated and not dispatch a warrior angel to help them, how dwelleth the love of God in Himself, to see one in desperate need and not come to the rescue? He expects us to obey Scripture that He Himself won't follow?

But honestly, I think it comes right back down to knowing the heart of God. In the same way that  I can offend someone on my best day, because they misunderstood my intentions, it is the same here. We misunderstand the heart of God and see Him as apathetic and unconcerned when He doesn't respond the way we thought He should in any given situation. We know He has the power and resources to put a  stop to evil but He won't.

I saw a homeless man sitting outside the post office on a  bitterly cold day. I didn't have any cash on me, and my heart was saddened. Even after I drove away from him, I kept apologizing to the Lord for not helping  this man. To the naked eye it looks like I didn't care enough about him to do anything, but I didn't have anything. I know that I am a wonderful person and I love me, and my neighbor as myself. I cannot help that others misunderstand me and are offended by my good behavior.

God is good all of the time, and all of the time God is still good. His behavior is just, and right, and fair. We must trust in the heart of God that He has our best interest at heart, even when it appears otherwise.

The people of Jesus's hometown were offended at Him, and He could do no mighty works in Nazareth because of their unbelief.

I am believing God for some mighty works of my own and can ill afford to be offended by His actions and His  decisions. This is hindering my prayers. I must trust the heart of God, when I fail to see His hand in my situation.

Check out Our God Is Good by Brian Courtney Wilson. Download, and put it on repeat.

God bless you. 🙂