Ever take up another’s offense? You know, when a friend is hurt by someone else. You had nothing to do with it, you were not even present. You are simply hearing about the problem from your friend hours or days later.
This recently happened to me. A good friend was hurt. Processing through the events, she could see reasons and explanations for part of it. But she was still hurt. I wasn’t anywhere around when the offense happened. In fact, I don’t even really know the person who hurt her. But I hurt for her and had to fight to keep my own anger under control.
I was not the one hurt and I was not the one who caused the hurt. I was not part of the problem. And she was not asking me to be part of the solution outside of simply listening to her so she could sort things out in her own mind. She did not need me roaring up in her defense. She needed me calm, thinking through the problem with her so she could get a clear picture of what should happen next.
This is common for me, battling the desire to take up friend’s offenses. I identify with this song by Skillet.
Skillet – Monster lyrics from godsgurl1202 on GodTube.com.
Can’t see the video? Click here.
Question: Do you ever want to take on the offenses of a friend, even when you were no where near where the problem occurred? What helps you maintain perspective?
Do I ever! I am Doberman Loyal to family and friends and am ready to attack if someone hurts them.
Maintaining perspective is hard for me. I have to keep saying God forgives them, that’s what Jesus died for remember and you are no better.
Still, I want to attack…